Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Delegates,

I have the honour to address this distinguished Committee today, on behalf of the Federation of International Civil Servants’ Associations (FICSA).

FICSA is pleased to have the opportunity to voice the concerns and aspirations of more than 30,000 internationally and locally recruited staff from 23 Agencies, Programmes and Funds of the United Nations system.

FICSA is aware that the report of the Secretary-General on Human Resources Management Reform (A/57/293) focuses on reforms within the UN Secretariat. However, FICSA is also aware that the reforms that originate here in New York have an important impact on staff throughout the common system.

The Federation would like to contribute to the successful outcome of your discussions by bringing to your attention and consideration the views of those staff who make up the common system and who deliver the services that help to achieve the ideals and mandates of the United Nations.

During the year, FICSA has also had the benefit of discussing issues with the representatives of Member States, and looks forward to maintaining this constructive and mutually beneficial working relationship.

FICSA noted with interest the comments made and the concerns expressed by Ms. Rosemarie Waters, President of the United Nations Staff Union in New York, when she addressed this distinguished Committee on 29 October 2002 (see Press Release GA/AB/3531) and agrees with many of the points that were expressed. FICSA would like to underline the importance of ensuring accountability, responsibility, transparency, equity, fairness, the speedy administration of justice (by both UNAT and ILOAT), job security, a secure and safe working environment, growing and changing with the times, leading, not following, and being proactive, futuristic and visionary. Given the opportunity, staff have a lot to contribute to discussions of these essential aspects of human resources reform. In fact the successful implementation of the reforms depends on the participation of staff. Staff want to continue to be active partners in the decision-making process, and would like to see the existing partnership improved and strengthened.

The United Nations should set the norm and serve as a model for good governance. FICSA would like you to ensure that the employment conditions in the common system are competitive, fair, and equitable to enable the organizations to recruit and retain staff with the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The Federation would like the UN family of organizations to be an equal opportunity employer and a better employer. FICSA would also like to participate in decisions on our terms and conditions of service.

FICSA welcomes the new Ombudsman and is sure that she will facilitate the administration of internal justice, and improve conflict management and grievance resolution. Some of our member associations/unions are subject to the UN Staff Rules and Regulations, and several of our member associations/unions are from organizations that have recognized the jurisdiction of the UNAT. Therefore, we are very keen to promote the best practices in the administration of justice both in UNAT and the ILOAT.

FICSA would like to congratulate the Secretary-General for his report on further strengthening the United Nations, in particular for his statements about recruitment, promotion, and mobility. Regarding the review of the pay and benefits system, FICSA would like to inform you that it participated in the discussions at the ICSC. The deliberations were constructive and the Commissioners gave serious consideration to our views.

Finally, FICSA would like to apprise the Committee of some of our concerns and some of the challenges ahead:

1. FICSA is concerned about what would appear to be attacks on the right of association (i.e., administrative actions and decisions targeting staff representatives) and the deterioration of relations between management and staff in various United Nations family offices around the world. The Federation would like to urge this Committee to reaffirm the fundamental rights and essential role of staff representatives and recognize their contribution to good governance and the Organization as a whole, and to acknowledge the benefits, of full participation by staff representatives in decision-making on human resources policies and practices.
2. FICSA is extremely concerned by the situation of UNRWA area staff and the way the hazard pay issue has been handled. UNRWA area staff have been denied hazard pay despite the fact that they have been performing their duties under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions while others, doing similar or even less demanding work, but working for other UN family organizations are granted this entitlement. We do not wish the United Nations to appear as a "discriminating" or "unfair" employer and would urge that a solution be found as soon as possible.
3. The Federation has been following closely various exercises of reduction in force, decentralization, and reform in several agencies. While acknowledging the complexity of these exercises, FICSA expects that the staff will receive fair treatment to ensure a successful exercise.
4. We are also extremely concerned about the difficulties faced by FICSA itself and its Members in ensuring meaningful participation in the staff-management "consultative" process at all levels. In particular, the financial resources required are borne almost entirely by the contributions from staff themselves. We have requested the Executive Heads (i.e., Chief Executives Board, CEB) to provide financial support, and we would welcome an expression of support for our request from this Committee.

In conclusion, in order to retain and attract the best staff, the United Nations must be a good employer. FICSA trusts that the ongoing reform will help to modernize human resources management throughout the UN system.

Thank you for your attention.