Five years after COVID-19, the world seems to have learned little. The WHO Pandemic Treaty remains unadopted, and on 14 August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

During COVID-19, frontline public service workers were left vulnerable - making their own PPE, denied access to life-saving vaccines, and unable to take paid time off to isolate and recover. We cannot risk their health and well-being again, nor threaten public service delivery.

As workers and public services still recover from COVID's devastating impact, we must not repeat past mistakes in responding to mpox. Employers and governments must engage in meaningful consultation with unions representing public service workers - key stakeholders in the national response to this health emergency.

PSI has prepared an occupational health and safety briefing to guide affiliates in supporting and protecting their members. All workers have the right to safe working conditions.

PSI will monitor the situation and provide updates as developments occur. Unions affiliated with PSI wishing to participate in this monitoring and share information should contact us at health@world-psi.org.

As a WHO-accredited organization, PSI is working to ensure workers' perspectives are included in the response to the mpox health emergency.