The International Labor Organization (ILO) may soon cut more than 20% of its staff at its headquarters in Geneva due to a high budget deficit, according to a publication in the Swiss newspaper Le Temps.
According to the data, the organization may cut up to 350 of its more than 1,600 positions, which represents approximately 21.8% of its staff in Geneva. This is due to the fact that as of April 24, ILO member countries had not paid their contributions to the organization, totaling 467 million Swiss francs (591 million USD). This amount exceeds half of the organization's operating budget, which is 926 million francs (1.1 billion USD).
Half of the unpaid funds are due to Washington, which, at the initiative of US President Donald Trump, is cutting funding to the UN and its agencies. In the meantime, approximately 70 countries have paid their contributions to the organization on time and in full. A decision on further measures will be taken at the next session of the ILO Governing Body in June.
The UN is facing a budget deficit due to non-payment of contributions by some countries, including the United States, which is behind by payments of approximately 3 billion USD. This is forcing the organization to cut spending, freeze staff recruitment and limit humanitarian programs, including aid for children and refugees.