Chennai, Sep 9 (IANS) A global federation of trade unions that met here for three days for its Asia Pacific regional conference has opposed the privatisation of public services like water, electricity, health care and education.

Public Services International (PSI) general secretary Hans Engelberts said: "Trade union rights are to be provided to all workers, irrespective of whether they work in the private sector or public sector, ensuring uniformity in democratic countries like India."

"In the name of public sector reforms, ideological privatisation, mindless reforms and commercial models are introduced in many developing countries, including India. This will increase the cost and affect the poor badly," he said.

"Only public sectors should handle such vital services to avoid cost escalation of essential services," Engelberts said.

"Unabated corruption undermines democracy, economic and political sustainability and affects quality of public services. PSI and its affiliates will be exercising moral leadership in combating corruption," he added.

PSI is a federation of global trade unions with more than 650 affiliates from 150 countries. A total of 150 trade unions from 22 countries participated in the meeting, including 24 from India.