PSI-JC 20th Anniversary Symposium

President Okabe giving his opening speech

PSI General Secretary Peter Waldorf speaks at the symposium

Public service issues being discussed at the panel discussion.

The Japan Council of PSI affiliates celebrated its 20th anniversary by holding a symposium on “PSI and the Quality Public Service Campaign.” The symposium was held on September 30th, in Tokyo with the PSI General Secretary Peter Waldorf heading the list of speakers. About 200 participants attended the symposium, mainly from PSI-JC affiliates, RENGO, and other international labour-related organizations.

  The Chair of PSI-JC, JICHIRO President Okabe opened the speeches at the symposium, recalling that “when PSI-JC was established in 1988, it was a historical turning point for the National Centre in Japan and the labour movement as a whole. It was at that point that we met with this international movement, leading development of public services. Since then, as providers of public services, we have been fighting against the market fundamentalism which is sweeping the globe and, in order to manifest the ‘quality public services (QPS)’ which PSI propounds, we have been insisting that in a sustainable society, public services are indispensable. At present in Japan, as a culmination of our efforts, we are demanding the enactment of a ‘Basic Law on Public Services.’ Working with PSI and the international solidarity which we have experienced so far, I sincerely hope we can achieve a change of government at the next general election and implement quality public services in the community and in the workplace.”

  PSI General Secretary Peter Waldorf spoke next, focusing on the future of public services. He mentioned how much he appreciated the contribution that the Japanese affiliates had made to PSI, especially in the Asia-Pacific region and in realizing international solidarity. “Japan’s role in PSI will only become more important in the future. We would also like to continue to offer international support to Japan in order to resolve the issue of basic labour rights for Japanese public service workers. We must work together, as public service leaders, in order to ensure that globalization benefits workers and the community. To do this we must cooperate to implement QPS.”
  Following this speech, there were 2 panel discussions—on ‘Japan’s role in PSI’s QPS’ and ‘ILO policy and developing the women’s movement in Japan.’