Fórsa has joined unions across Europe in applauding the work of public servants over the last two years and called for quality public services as it marked international public service day earlier this week.

Unions across Europe celebrated the workers who dedicate their lives to providing public services and make sure people enjoy human rights. The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) said international public service day was a day for all these workers.

The early days of the Covid-19 pandemic saw the world celebrating frontline workers cheering and clapping from the confinement of their homes. EPSU said this was a welcomed mark of appreciation, but that it was not enough.

It called for better pay and conditions for workers in light of the cost of living crisis, and demanded more staffing and better working conditions.

EPSU general secretary Jan Willem said the pandemic had exposed the consequences of liberalisation, austerity and inaction. “Critical staff and resource shortages left hospitals and long-term care facilities unable to cope with the pandemic, contributing to the shocking deaths that characterised Europe’s pandemic experience,” he said.