Public Services International
Encyclopedia
Public Services International (PSI) is a global union federation
of public sector
trade union
s. It 620 affiliated unions, in 160 countries, representing 20 million workers. PSI is an officially recognized non-government organization
for the public sector within the International Labour Organisation, and has consultative status with the United Nations
' ECOSOC and observer status with other UN bodies such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) and UNESCO
.
As part of the Quality Public Services campaign, PSI is developing proposals for a General Agreement on Public Services, intended as a balance to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
, which is viewed as endangering public services
. PSI campaigns to ensure public services:
Global union federation
A global union federation is an international federation of national and regional trade unions organising in specific industry sectors or occupational groups, previously known as international trade secretariats [ITSs]....
of public sector
Public sector
The public sector, sometimes referred to as the state sector, is a part of the state that deals with either the production, delivery and allocation of goods and services by and for the government or its citizens, whether national, regional or local/municipal.Examples of public sector activity range...
trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s. It 620 affiliated unions, in 160 countries, representing 20 million workers. PSI is an officially recognized non-government organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
for the public sector within the International Labour Organisation, and has consultative status with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' ECOSOC and observer status with other UN bodies such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body. It is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues....
(UNCTAD) and UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
As part of the Quality Public Services campaign, PSI is developing proposals for a General Agreement on Public Services, intended as a balance to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
General Agreement on Trade in Services
The General Agreement on Trade in Services is a treaty of the World Trade Organization that entered into force in January 1995 as a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations...
, which is viewed as endangering public services
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
. PSI campaigns to ensure public services:
- are adequately resourced, with well trained workers delivering quality services;
- meet social objectives such as the eradication of poverty and the empowerment of people;
- are ethical and corruption-free, and enable societies and economies to operate effectively and equitably;
- provide full rights and decent working conditions for workers.