PSI affiliates urged to mark Public Service Day on June 23

Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002

Ottawa (16 June 2008) - June 23 is Public Service Day around the world, a date designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002.

On this date the UN encourages all countries to recognize the vital contribution made by public sector/service employees through their daily work to improve the lives of people in all parts of the world.

The day is particularly important for affiliates of Public Services International (PSI), including the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). PSI has issued a number of materials - posters. stickers, leaflets - to draw attention to the occasion and to highlight PSI policy and strategic objectives.

PSI plans to mark the day by asking unions to lobby governments and the public to resist the policies of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional and bilateral trade agreements that weaken the capacity of the public sector and reduce revenues essential to the funding of public services in many developing countries.

PSI affiliates are being urged to create their own media events to disseminate PSI information and resource materials. The global body is also calling on governments in all countries to increase funding for essential public services. NUPGE