Dr. Ali Basaran, Executive Committee Member for Asia
The writer visited Bangkok, Thailand from 1 to 5 May; Port Moresby and Lae, Papua New Guinea from 6 to 12 May; Hanoi, Hue and Halong Bay, Viet Nam from 13 to 21 May; Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, Cambodia from 22 to 29 May; and Bangkok, Thailand from 30 May to 3 June.
The terms of reference of the visits were:
The writer is mandated to visit field duty stations as the FICSA Regional Executive Committee Member for Asia. He visited the duty stations mentioned above in connection with his duty travels as Regional Adviser in Environmental Health of the WHO Western Pacific Region.
3.1 THAILAND
The writer visited Bangkok, Thailand from 1 to 5 May. His heavy work commitments, however, did not allow him to meet with many UN Staff Representatives and Heads of Agencies at this time round. He was only able to meet key people to arrange for the upcoming visit of the FICSA President to Bangkok from 30 May to 3 June (see Annex 1).
3.2 PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The writer visited Port Moresby and Lae, Papua New Guinea from 6 to 12 May. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he set aside 11 May to meet with UN Heads of Agencies and Staff Representatives. The writer’s previous visit to Papua New Guinea was in April 2000 and the conditions of service of the UN staff within the duty station had been elaborated in his report on that visit (FICSA/CIRC/879).
The writer had a joint meeting with the Heads of UN Agencies and Staff Representatives at the UNDP premises on 11 May. The meeting was attended by eight persons from all UN Agencies in Port Moresby (see Annex 2). Issues discussed included field security, classification of the duty station, post adjustment, local salary survey methodology, how UNFCU credit facilities can be used by the locally-recruited staff, possibility of UN providing housing for staff, inequitable application of the staff rules by various managers/Heads of Agencies, possibility of reimbursing all staff for the additional expenditures incurred in making their residences safer, etc.
It was reported that the security situation had been deteriorating and that the local staff were at greater risk than international staff. UN vehicles were being taken/stolen from in front of the UNDP Office in the middle of town in broad daylight. UNDP contracted a local security agency to take drivers home if they have to work until or later than 6:00 p.m. UNDP continued to charge for the transportation services provided to take staff home because of the poor security situation. The justification given was that the cost of the service was reflected in the local salary survey as a benefit.
It was suggested that FICSA should explore the possibility of asking ICSC to waive the requirement of 6 months to qualify for the rental subsidy, and that the CPI threshold should be reduced from 25 to 15-20 per cent.
The meeting decided to set up a FUNSA and Mr. Chris Maingu of UNICEF was designated as the focal person to coordinate this task. The writer provided a copy of the model FUNSA statutes developed by FICSA for the purpose.
A second meeting was held with WHO staff at WHO premises on 11 May. The meeting was attended by eight WHO staff in Port Moresby (see Annex 3). Issues raised/discussed included:
3.3 VIETNAM
The writer visited Hanoi, Hue and Halong Bay, Vietnam from 13 to 21 May. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he set aside 14 May to meet with Heads of UN Agencies and Staff Representatives in Hanoi.
The writer had a joint meeting with the Heads of UN Agencies and Staff Representatives at the WHO premises on 14 May. The meeting was attended by seven persons from all UN Agencies in Hanoi (see Annex 4). Issues discussed included field security, classification of the duty station, post adjustment, local salary survey methodology, etc.
The meeting decided to set up a FUNSA and Mr. Dong Hum Cu of the UNDP/UNDCP/UNFPA/UNIDO Staff Association was designated as the focal person to coordinate this task. The writer provided a copy of the model FUNSA statutes for their guidance.
3.4 CAMBODIA
The writer visited Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, Cambodia from 22 to 29 May. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he set aside 23, 24 and 25 May to meet with the UN Resident Representative (UNRR), Heads of UN Agencies, UN Staff Representatives and Staff in Phnom Penh.
The writer had an initial briefing session with the UN Resident Representative on the UNDP premises on 23 May. The second meeting was with the Heads of UN Agencies during their regular meeting on the FAO premises on 24 May. A third meeting was with the Staff Representatives followed by a fourth meeting with UN staff both on the UNDP premises on 25 May.
3.4.1 Meeting with Heads of UN Agencies
The writer’s visit was included in the agenda of the regular Heads of Agencies meeting. The meeting was held in the FAO conference room on 24 May. It was chaired by Ms. D. McAdams, UNDP Resident Representative and attended by ten Heads of UN Agencies in Phnom Penh (see Annex 5). The writer briefed the participants on FICSA and its involvement in the UN common system issues under consideration. He emphasized issues related to field security, Professional staff salaries and benefits, UN staff with HIV/AIDS, etc.
A number of local issues were mentioned during the meeting. Of these, however, the following are of importance to FICSA:
Other issues were related to post adjustment, salaries and benefits of short-term Professional staff, differences in application of common system rules by different UN agencies, etc.
3.4.2 Meeting with Representatives of UN Staff and staff interested in FICSA
The first meeting was with the Staff Representatives and it was held in the UNDP conference room on 25 May. There were eight participants from three main Staff Associations (see Annex 6). The second meeting was with all staff and it was attended by 43 staff from all agencies (see Annex 7).
The writer briefed the participants on FICSA and its involvement in the UN common system issues under consideration. He emphasized issues related to General Service and field staff as well as the importance and benefits of establishing a FUNSA.
A number of local issues of interest to FICSA were mentioned during the meeting. Most of the discussions that followed centred on the following:
The meeting decided to set up a FUNSA and Mr. Vichet Than Kun of UNDP was designated as the focal person to coordinate this task. The writer provided a copy of the model FUNSA statutes prepared by FICSA for the purpose.
3.5 THAILAND
The writer visited Bangkok, Thailand, from 30 May to 3 June to accompany the FICSA President on his visit to Bangkok. Both the writer and the President had meetings with the following key players (see Annex 8):
The meeting with the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, as a follow-up to the earlier visit of the writer with him, was of special significance as it was the first time a FICSA President visited ESCAP at the Executive Secretary level. The meeting was very cordial and constructive. The meeting was preceded by a meeting with the President of ESCAP Staff Council who was also very positive towards FICSA.
The details of this special event will be reported by the President of FICSA in his report on his mission to Bangkok. In summary, however, the President, accompanied by the writer, briefed the persons met regarding the latest activities and achievements of FICSA (e.g. staff presentation to the UN Security Council, dialogue with CCISUA, upcoming session of ICSC, etc.). The persons met were very appreciative of the information presented to them and of FICSA activities/efforts to improve the working conditions of all UN system staff. They were also very appreciative to learn about the FICSA efforts to work more closely with CCISUA in the ICSC and Fifth Committee, as well as the efforts to establish a joint federation. It was clear to everyone that this would allow unified and stronger staff representation in the common system (i.e. one staff ‘representation’ and ‘voice’ with common goals).
Finally, the meeting with UN Agency Staff Representatives reconfirmed their interest and agreed that a FUNSA should be established in Bangkok. This was also endorsed during the subsequent meeting with the UN Resident Representative and his staff. Ms. Sirisupa Kulthanan, Asstistant UN Resident Representative and Chair of the UNDP Staff Association volunteered to coordinate the local efforts. She was provided with an electronic copy of the model FUNSA statutes developed for this purpose by FICSA.
The purpose of the mission was fully accomplished.
The writer makes the following recommendations to FICSA:
The writer would like to thank each and every local Head of UN agencies, staff associations, and staff in all duty stations visited for their support and the excellent local arrangements made to facilitate his visit, for ensuring his personal safety and helping to achieve the purpose of his mission. Special thanks are due to H.E. Mr. H. S. Kim, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, for his very constructive comments and support to the cause of FICSA.
Annex 1
Meeting with Selected Staff and Staff Representatives
(Bangkok, 2 to 4 May 2001)
Annex 2
Meeting with Heads of Agencies and Staff Representatives
(Port Moresby, 11 May 2001)
Annex 3
Meeting with WHO staff (11 May 2001, Port Moresby)
Ms. Didrie Baure from UNDP has mentioned that they have a new Chairperson for their Staff Association and his name is Mr. Bernard Choulai.
Annex 4
Meeting with UN Staff Representatives (14 May 2001, Ha Noi, Vietnam)
Annex 5
Meeting with Heads of Agencies (24 May 2001, Phnom-Penh, Cambodia)
Annex 6
Meeting with UN Staff Representatives (25 May 2001, Phnom-Penh, Cambodia)
Annex 7
Meeting with local staff (25 May 2001, Phnom-Penh, Cambodia)
Annex 8
Meeting with Selected Staff and Staff Representatives
(Bangkok, 30 May – 02 June 2001)