Asia-Pacific

On 4 December, during an event at the ILO to celebrate the World Day for People with Disabilities, the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) launched a report which highlights trade union action to promote decent work for persons with disabilities. This ground-breaking report will launch a series of actions, with a strong participation of PSI. Sandra Vermuyten, PSI Head of Campaigns, spoke at the event.

The 2017 World AIDS Day is being marked today with the theme Right to Health, under the slogan Everybody counts. This is aimed at advocacy for universal access to safe, effective, quality healthcare. Public Services International welcomes this. PSI affiliates across the world will be organising or joining manifestations, conferences, workshops and other programmes to sensitize the public.

The Australian Union movement is campaigning to enshrine 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave in the National Employment Standards, making it available to every worker who needs it.

On 24 November, PSI's General Secretary took part in an international meeting of trade union organisations on the theme "Labor and the workers' movement at the center of a humane, integral, inclusive and sustainable development – why is the world of work still the key to development in the global world?

PSI has recently joined the Global Deal as part of its commitment to promoting social dialogue as a means for tackling inequality, ensuring workers’ rights and creating the foundations for peace and stability.

“Stopping violence against women is everyone’s responsibility and men must play their part” stated Dave Prentis, PSI President, as his initial words at the PSI Congress 2017’s Pledge to end Violence against Women. Lead by Greg McLean from Australia, public services male trade unionists pledged in Geneva to be key actors in this struggle, in of one of the most emblematic acts of political engagement of public services unions.

Check out this Op-Ed from PSI's Director of Policy & Governance, Daniel Bertossa, on how tax dodgers like those exposed in the Paradise Papers are ripping off workers!