Correcting a few things that are just wrong in your first post...public sector pensions are being reformed so they aren't as good as they once were, they have had a pay freeze for two years, and hundreds of thousands of jobs are set to go.
Also I work for a small private business and they definitely care about health and safety, anyone can get sued.
Back on topic... workers with low skills are better off in the public sector, highly ambitious and talented workers are better off in the private sector.