"Staff at UN Geneva protest severe budget reductions: They argue it's not just a matter of numbers"
Protestors calling themselves "Protectors of the Protectors" filled the square in front of the United Nations European headquarters, protesting recent cuts in funding that could lead to a third of the International Organization for Migration's workforce being laid off.
Carrying signs such as "UN staff not a commodity," "We stand for humanity," and "Stop firing UN staff now," they marched under a scorching sun, bringing their families and supporters with them.
Lena, an employee at the International Labour Organization who preferred to keep her last name confidential, expressed her frustrations. "We're supposed to stand for workers' rights, so this is really tough," she said, standing beside her sound-asleep daughter and her sign reading "We stand for better jobs in the world."
Tough times are hitting humanitarian organizations worldwide following the United States' return to power under President Donald Trump's anti-refugee and anti-migrant agenda. US foreign aid funding was frozen immediately, leaving many agencies struggling to fill gaping budget gaps.
The UN's refugee agency, for instance, is considering cutting up to 30% of its staff worldwide. The International Organization for Migration expects to need to lay off over 6,000 staff members, which amounts to more than a third of its workforce. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme plans to decrease its global workforce between 25% and 30%, and thousands of jobs are being eliminated at the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and other agencies.
Elodie Sabau, who works at the main UN Geneva office, expressed concerns over the potential layoffs, stating, "So many people are afraid of losing their jobs. People who work for the UN are often asked to make extreme sacrifices." She continued, "It is outrageous to see how they are being treated."
Ian Richards, head of the UN staff union in Geneva, emphasized the risks, saying in a statement, "Our colleagues have worked in some of the most dangerous, difficult, and isolated locations in the world… Now, many are being let go without any social or financial support from their employers."
Lena agreed, pointing out the challenging circumstances faced by UN staff. "Some workers are here for 20 years, and then it's basically 'goodbye,' you're gone in two months." She explained that international UN staff are not granted unemployment benefits in the countries they work in, and their residence permits expire within a month of losing their employment.
If the current trend continues, not only will operations be impacted, but the very foundations of the UN's humanitarian agencies may be eroded. "Now, we just have to tell people we have worked with for years, 'sorry'," Lena concluded.
- The "Protectors of the Protectors" protest is not just about policy-and-legislation or general-news; it’s a humanitarian issue as well, as the layoffs within the International Organization for Migration could potentially affect thousands.
- Unions, such as the UN staff union in Geneva, are standing in solidarity with employees like Lena, advocating for their rights and expressing concerns over the sudden job cuts.
- The current situation in humanitarian organizations, with potential layoffs and funding cuts, has now become a subject of interest in politics and crime-and-justice, as it raises questions about the treatment of UN staff and the overall impact on global aid.
- The cuts in funding and subsequent layoffs of UN staff are not just supposed to be a blow to the workers themselves; it could also lead to a broader, detrimental impact on the humanitarian efforts around the world.
