Water and sanitation

PSI is deeply concerned about the continued attacks against public services and the austerity measures taken in Greece. We have heard that the Greek government plans to lay off some 6.500 public sector workers by the end of the year, in line with the Troika’s demands.

On 18 May 2014, the citizens of Thessaloniki held a self-organised referendum on the privatisation of their water company. The proposal was massively rejected, over 98% of votes were cast against the privatisation of water and sanitation in the Greek city of Thessaloniki. PSI is asking Greek citizens living in other countries to send a message to their embassies or consulates urging the Greek national government to respect the outcome of this non-binding referendum.

In late March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, the leader of Public Services International (PSI) joined members of Peruvian affiliate FENTAP on the frontline of their fight to keep public water services.

As the United Nations celebrates World Water Day on 22 March, we must be aware of and continue to challenge the fundamental tensions polarising people and planet. Social inequality is growing, climate change is accelerating, and governments are not taking leadership for democratic change. Many governments continue to ignore the most basic rights of people, including the Human Right to Water and Sanitation.