INTERNATIONAL WOMENS' DAY - Union women – at the heart of the struggle for basic trade union rights

On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2012, Public Services International recognises and applauds the work of women trade unionists, who are always at the very heart of our struggle for human and labour rights and equality.

We express our solidarity with our sisters who place themselves on the front line, delivering vital public services to the most vulnerable in our communities. We call on governments to recognise their contribution and to guarantee, respect and strengthen their human and trade union rights.

PSI General Secretary Peter Waldorff says, “We cannot accept that 15 women trade unionists should be arrested recently in Turkey, simply for advocating for women’s rights. Nor can we accept that women leaders in Algeria are now imprisoned for protesting against precarious working conditions. We cannot accept that thousands of women should lose their jobs in Botswana, for defending their right to a decent wage. And we cannot accept that despite women being at the heart of the struggle in the Arab spring, their basic human rights are still to be secured. “Such disrespect of women’s human and trade union rights weakens us all. Governments must know that they are not above the rule of law and that together we will hold them to account for their actions.”

PSI’s beautiful 2012 International Women’s Day posters are available http://www.world-psi.org/en/posters-international-womens-day-2012


Advice PSI www.world-psi.org