ThoseLabor day in Geneva –For the 1is May, UN agencies shout their concern
About 500 employees came out against the massive layoff that strikes international Geneva.
Posted today at 5:06 p.m.
The staff of the UN agencies rise against an unprecedented wave of dismissal.
Laurent Guiraud
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- UN agencies in Geneva face unprecedented budgetary discounts.
- Among the demonstrators, many said their concern for the beneficiary populations “on the ground”.
- In Geneva, licensed employees do not have access to unemployment benefits.
Crises, they experienced it. But like this one, never. At the heart of the demonstrators – around 500 people gathered on the place of nations, this Thursday – three long -standing employees affirm: International Geneva is affected in the depths and the future is more uncertain than ever.
In the UN sector, for several weeks since funding at half mast has paved the way for postal discounts. And no more structure seems to be spared: -10% to the International Labor Organization, -20% at UNICEF, between 25 and 30% sabrés on the world Food Program (PAM) as well as thousands of positions between WHO, UNUSIDA and the International Organization for Migration.
On this day of feast of workers, those who took advantage of their lunch break (the 1is May is not a holiday l’i it) To be heard, wanted to deliver a very clear message. Their positions are threatened, of course, but the budget cuts fall first on those who are directly busy on the field and those they serve.
“No one” in the field
The case of a UNCTAD humanitarian worker, an agency working for the economic development of the poorest countries on the planet, illustrates the concrete situation: “last year, I was still going to Haitiat the request of the country, to develop programs. From now on, there is no longer any means for me to return. Security, provided by the USAID agency, has been dismantled. On site, there is no one, no more infrastructure. ”
Thursday at noon, there were nearly 500 in the Place des Nations.
Laurent Guiraud
-On Thursday, the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) was particularly represented at the foot of the Broken Chair. A few meters away, its seat employing 800 people live a restructuring which will deprive it by almost 30% of its resources. “In recent weeks, last -minute funding has saved a few positions, but we need help,” says Rebecca, whose work consists in anticipating migratory movements and needs for refugees.
What future for the young employee who came to Geneva specifically for this job? “This is not the question. These means which are withdrawn to us, it is support for the local populations less, ”she worries.
No unemployment insurance
While International Geneva employs nearly 30,000 people in Geneva (8,500 for the United Nations and its agencies), some would have hoped to see more people in this place symbol of multilateralism.
On the one hand, this is explained by the range of statutes within agencies, between international officials established for a long time established and employees with short -term mandates.
But this steep crisis seems to have coldly picked an ecosystem long spared by waves of layoffs. “These organizations have never known such drastic cuts,” observes Guillaume Stollsteiner, founder of a human resources cabinet working precisely with the major organizations based in Geneva.
Consequently, these mastodons seem disarmed in the face of the current situation and “struggle to set up real support and assistance programs for professional transition”, notes the HR professional.
As for dismissed employees or whose contracts are not renewed, their status does not allow them to benefit from unemployment in Geneva.
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