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18 November 2013 - UNGA 68th Session - Fifth Committee

NON STAFF PERSONNEL IN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

Under Item 139, Human Resources Management, Inspector Cihan Terzi introduced the JIU Report on "Review of the Individual Consultancies in the United Nations System". For the complete Report please refer to document JIU/REP/2012/12.   While the scope of the Report was to focus on individual consultancy contracts, the study found some very interesting information on "consultants" and "non-staff". These categories of personnel are used interchangeably, for the same organization, with no clear distinction or definition of the two. They serve for repeated or extended periods of time under precarious conditions with functions and tasks similar to those of regular staff. As the use of consultants and other "non-staff" continue to increase as a cost-saving alternative, the Report cautions on the abusive use of this type of contracts and suggests that polices be put in place to take into consideration international labour principles and responsible employment practices.

14 November - Difficult days ahead - C'est pas gagné

The Fifth Committee convened yesterday to consider Agenda item 141, the United Nations common system.   The Chair of the ICSC presented his report, A/68/30.  This was followed by statements from FICSA (document FICSA/CIRC/1154), CCISUA and statements from the Chair of the Group of 77 + China; the Chair of European Union; and the Representatives of India, Japan, Republic of Korea and the US.  These can be found at http://www.un.org/en/ga/fifth/68/statements68.0m.shtml. You can view the video at http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/general-assembly/main-committees/5th-committee/

The Representatives recognized the UN staff as a most valuable asset, the core of the  UN’s work.  They were duly and sincerely thanked "however" ...they are still expensive, representing 70% of the UN regular budget and rising; and, reiterating arguments from last year, they seem to be artificially insulated from the current economic realities.  The Representatives looked forward to further debates on the comprehensive review of the compensation package, the review of the Noblemaire principle, the post adjustment and the implementation of the methodology on the margin management procedure, some, as a way to contain costs.  As to the mandatory age of separation (MAS) for serving staff, it appears that much more debate will take place on the merits and the shortcomings of the decision, with reference to the great impact on rejuvention, gender balance and geographic distribution.   Both Federations cited the decreasing quality of staff/management relations as one of their main concerns and requested that they be invited to the informal discussions to discuss this and other issues raised in their statements.

11 November

The President of FICSA is currently in New York to attend the formal meeting of the 68th session of the Fifth Committee on item 141 of the agenda: UN common system. The Committee will consider the report of the ICSC for the year 2013 which contains, inter alia, the recommendation to increase the mandatory age of separation on an optional basis for current staff as of January 2016. The Fifth will also consider the preliminary reports on the comprehensive review of the UN compensation package. Normally, the approval of resolutions of the Fifth Committee is announced at the end of December. In the meantime, the usual advocacy action will be coordinated with the representatives of other federations attending the General Assembly. We shall keep you informed.