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Emergencies and Disasters

PSI represents first responders and frontline workers. These are the people who put their lives at risk in order to protect and save your families. First responders include firefighters and emergency medical technicians, police and other uniformed services. They are also the frontline workers in hospitals and health clinics, in schools, in energy and water utilities; in public transport; in civil administration and in a range of other areas. All of us depend on these people being able to do their jobs, having the right tools and training.

PSI mourns death and destruction left by Cyclone Idai

21 March 2019

PSI is devastated and heartbroken at the death and destruction caused by tropical Cyclone Idai which roared into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi on 14-15 March. Over 500 people have so far been confirmed dead, but the death toll is feared to be much higher as affected areas continue to receive news of more casualties.

Our last chance on climate?

14 March 2019

Sixteen-year old Greta Thunberg from Sweden is inspiring a global movement for collective action on climate change. On March 15, 2019, a Global Climate Strike will see hundreds of thousands of young people in cities around the world join the movement.

13 October - International Day for Disaster Prevention

12 October 2018

On UN International Day for Disaster Prevention, PSI calls on UN to focus on public emergency workers and warns of increasing climate chaos.

PSI mourns with Tanzania the MV Nyerere ferry disaster that claimed hundreds of lives

25 September 2018

PSI learns with chilling accounts, the rising numbers of the toll of death of persons returning from a busy market day on 20 September, when their overloaded ferry, MV Nyerere, capsized on Lake Victoria, killing most of its passengers.

Kerala faces severe floods: nurses union joins rescue effort

21 August 2018

As of 20 August, the death toll due to floods in the southern Indian state of Kerala stood at 1,361. More than 700,000 people are now in close to 3,000 relief camps across the state. Rescue and relief efforts have been tireless, by the government and by civil society.

JALGO collaborates with Solar Head of State to promote renewable energy in Jamaica

27 July 2018
James Ellsmore of Solar Head of State receives donation of prize money from Helene Davis-Whyte, general secretary of JALGO

Earlier this year, the NGO Solar Head of State held a challenge targeting youth and young adults in which the goal was to inspire local or school communities to recognize the many advantages of solar energy. PSI affiliate the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO) was the only sponsor from the trade union movement and has contributed prize money to the challenge.

PSI General Secretary visits affiliates in Japan

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, arrived in Japan on 22 June for a three-day visit, invited by PSI Japan Council (PSI-JC), the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in the country.

Our last chance on climate?

14 March 2019

Sixteen-year old Greta Thunberg from Sweden is inspiring a global movement for collective action on climate change. On March 15, 2019, a Global Climate Strike will see hundreds of thousands of young people in cities around the world join the movement.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria: appeal for donations

18 September 2017

PSI is calling on its affiliates to support the call for donations to the PSI Aid Fund to help our sisters and brothers in the Caribbean. Your donations will assist our affiliates in contributing to early recovery efforts as well as in rehabilitation and re-building. PSI will work with affiliates to build their capacity to influence policies and actions related to the re-building efforts, protecting the rights of workers, promoting people-centered development and advocating for quality public services that support just and equitable societies.

Hurricane Matthew in Haiti: appeal for donations

18 October 2016

Hurricane Matthew wrought devastation as it made landfall in Haïti on 3 and 4 October, killing hundreds, displacing thousands, destroying homes and causing widespread flooding across the impoverished nation. Matthew has left Haïti in desperate need of aid. PSI is calling on all affiliates to donate to the PSI Haiti Relief Fund. The funds will be used for the immediate relief and assistance to the members of PSI’s affiliate, the CTSP, who live in the affected towns.

Respect the right to organise - Reinstate Liberian trade union leaders NOW!

06 October 2016

The Liberian regime has no respect for basic Human Rights; or Workers Rights!



In Liberia, the government has arbitrarily fired health workers who were on the front lines of the fight against Ebola; simply because they were trying to ensure adequate protection and working conditions for public workers. Before you consider traveling to or investing in Liberia, think about whether you really want to support a regime which treats health heroes as disposable goods.



Learn more about how to stand up for the rights of Liberian workers by watching the video above and signing the petition below!

Ecuador earthquake: Solidarity call for aid

26 April 2016
Ecuador Earthquake

Following the devastating earthquake that took place in Ecuador on 16 April, PSI is calling on all affiliates to donate to the PSI Ecuador Relief Fund. The funds will be used for the immediate relief and assistance of our members, to help rebuild infrastructure and to halt the repressive labour policies ensuring that workers and trade unions can participate in the rebuilding of public services.

Nepal needs your help

28 April 2015
Earthquake aftermath - Photo: SIM Central and South East Asia - Creative Commons

PSI is urgently calling on its affiliates to send funds for the immediate relief of PSI members and to assist in rebuilding communities in Nepal.

Solidarity call for aid against impacts of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

23 October 2014
The fight against Ebola in Guinea - Healthworkers in protective equipment

#protecthealthworkers - PSI is calling on all affiliates to donate to the PSI Aid Fund. The funds will be used for the immediate relief and assistance of our members and their families, especially in cases where health workers have died and their families have no access to social protection.

Gaza crisis: Solidarity call for aid and humanitarian relief

22 August 2014

Public Services International (PSI) is deeply concerned about the conflict in Gaza and deplores the resumption of fighting and the appalling death toll to civilians in the Gaza Strip. In the six weeks of fighting more than 2000 civilian Palestinians have died, a further 9563 wounded and around 400,000 people displaced following the bombing of their homes.

Please send donations for the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan

18 November 2013

Public Services International is collecting donations via the PSI Aid Fund to help our sisters and brothers in the Philippines, further to the PSI Steering Committee decision and in coordination with our affiliates in the country.

Typhoon Haiyan: Solidarity support to all PSI affiliates in the Philippines

12 November 2013

Members of the PSI Steering Committee have expressed their solidarity and deepest condolences to all people in the Philippines in the devastating wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

Guidelines for PSI Emergency Response Work

10 September 2018

PSI’s Emergency and Disasters Working Group developed these guidelines to assist unions that represent first responders, frontline workers and other services that are called into action before, during and after emergencies and disasters.

PSI General Secretary’s speech at PSI JC’s 30th anniversary

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, gave a speech at PSI Japan Council's (PSI-JC) 30th anniversary which took place in Tokyo on 22 June 2018. This was part of a three-day visit, invited by PSI-JC, the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in Japan.

Posters: Int'l Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

17 November 2016

Trade unions are struggling to end violence at the workplace and in society. In all countries, we need a strong commitment from governments to address the deeply rooted causes of violence against women: inequality and discrimination. Download PSI's posters for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Memorandum of Undertaking for Disaster Risk Reduction between the local government of Bislig city and the PSILINK union

11 November 2016

The 2016 Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) was negotiated and concluded between PSI affiliate PSILINK and the local government of Bislig city, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, the Philippines.

Participation forms for APRECON 2016

26 February 2016

The Conference participation form/s inform us about your delegation and status. Three participation forms are available for your download, please submit the relevant one.

Emergency Resolution on Terrorism

17 November 2015

PSI Steering Committee meeting SC-19 opened with a moment of silence and solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attacks on Paris on 13 November. The meeting then adopted an emergency resolution on terrorism condemning all acts of violence towards civilians, deploring the violent attacks worldwide and calling on governments to pursue the diplomatic route and reach political decisions that can ensure both peace and justice.

A trade union contribution to the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

05 March 2015

Joint International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) - Public Services International (PSI) contribution to the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction preparatory meeting that took place on 14-15 July 2014

Outcomes of PSI Steering Comittee SC-18

17 November 2014

PSI Steering Committee (SC-18) met in Geneva on 12-13 November 2014.

The agenda covered all items relating to the implementation of the Programme of Action with a special focus on the global campaigns PSI is leading on trade agreements and tax justice.

PSI Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Intervention Strategy 2014-16

27 October 2014
Ebola in Guinea

The Ebola crisis in West Africa demonstrates clearly the threat posed to societies as a whole when quality public health systems are absent. The dire consequences of the outbreak must be seen, in general, as symptoms resulting from decades of lack of investments in public sector health systems. PSI's strategy, focussed on a trade union response to the crisis, is available for download.

Statement: Healthcare workers killed by Ebola’s worst outbreak ever

08 July 2014

The global trade union federation Public Services International condemns the preventable deaths of dozens of healthcare workers, killed on the job by Ebola because they did not have the necessary tools and equipment.

After Yolanda: Government employees are also human beings

11 March 2014

Four months after Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as it's known in the Phlippines, PSI affiliate in the Philippines, PSLINK, has put together a photo report of the effects Yolanda has had on the population and more specifically on the lives of public sector workers.

The impact of hurricane Sandy on consolidated Edison of New York

10 February 2014
UWUA

This position paper produced by the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, is an assessment of restoration efforts and gives recommendations for the future.

Communiqué: Public Services International Steering Committee SC-17

25 November 2013
PSI Steering Committee and staff, November 2013

Angered by the continuing attacks on public services and the workers who provide these services, distressed by the rising inequality across the world and the failure of the current economic system to provide jobs, particularly for young people, the Steering Committee reiterated its commitments to the 2013-2017 Programme of Action “Social Justice through Quality Public Services” and endorsed priority actions for 2014.

Speech by PSI General Secretary at the UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters

03 April 2013

Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International, spoke during a UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters, held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 6 March 2013.

ILO Meeting of Experts to adopt Guidelines on Decent Work in Public Emergency Services (Geneva)

16 January 2018

The purpose of the meeting will be to revise the 2003 Guidelines on Social Dialogue in Public Emergency Services in order to reflect the changes in the nature of emergencies and other developments in the past decade.

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

05 March 2015

The Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is taking place in Sendai, Japan on 14-18 March 2015.

Video interviews: SOLSICO activists in healthcare

23 November 2016

At its May 2016 meeting, PSI’s World Women’s Committee (WOC) agreed that a high priority area of work is workplace violence in the health sector. The WOC also agreed that the experiences of affiliates in raising awareness and developing campaigns and actions to eliminate workplace violence will contribute to the discussions and preparation for developing an ILO standard (convention and recommendations) on violence against women and men at work. This video of interviews is part of the case study on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Audio: WINS Radio reports on dismissed Liberian health workers

11 April 2016

WINS Radio reports on PSI's call to action for the reinstatement of two Liberian health union leaders dismissed in February 2014 with 22 other workers following a nationwide strike in protest of working conditions and the lack of protective equipment and medication.

David Boys speaks at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, 16 March 2015

27 March 2015

PSI Deputy General Secretary David Boys spoke at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Sendai, Japan, on 16 March.

Video: PSI names the 325 health workers killed by Ebola

25 November 2014

"Over 300 workers have died on the job in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, trying to save lives and contain the Ebola outbreak. They were doctors, nurses, midwives, cleaners, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, community health workers – among others.
PSI wants to remember all of those workers one by one, name by name. We will honour their sacrifice by pledging to ensure that all workers enjoy safe working conditions everywhere and to strengthen the fight for quality public healthcare for all."

Video: Liberian Government denies compensation to health workers who die from Ebola while saving lives

03 June 2014

Watch an interview with Paul Tilame of the PSI-affiliated National Private Sector Health Workers Union of Liberia (NPSHWU) talking about the protests at the health ministers summit in Monrovia in April and the deaths of the health workers from Ebola.