ILO Governing Body, 357bis session - EU statement - Reduction of posts within the contingency framework for the 2026-27 biennium GB.357bis/PFA/1

European Union

Statement

ILO Governing Body, 357bis session 

________

Reduction of posts within the contingency framework for the 2026-27 biennium

GB.357bis/PFA/1

________

Geneva, 7 September 2026

- 

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

ILO Governing Body, 357bis session 

7 September 2026

Reduction of posts within the contingency framework for the 2026-27 biennium

GB.357bis/PFA/1

EU statement

Chair,

I speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova,  the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.

1. We thank the Office for the GB paper. We align with the statement delivered by our Government Group Chair.

2. We note with deep concern arrears exceeding CHF  219 million and persistently low rates of timely payments. We urge  all      Member  States  to      pay  arrears  and      assessed  contributions  in      full  and  on time. Further lack of payments  would have irreversible consequences for the ILO’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

3. We expect that through the functional review - based on thematic priorities, critical to the ILO’s mandate and risk analysis and leading to the identification of positions for possible abolition - the Office ensures that critical capabilities and capacity essential for mandate delivery are preserved. 

4. We recall the decision at the 357^th GB that calls for a fair and transparent process to identify positions for possible abolishment on the basis of thematic priorities. We ask the Office to keep the GB and its membership informed of the progress of this thematic prioritisation, including the corresponding organisational chart and specifics on the areas of work that are being de-prioritised. 

5. We look forward to further discussing a draft P&B informed by the reform, the functional review and contingency measures. We keep in mind that the substantial reform  must continue under these difficult circumstances and we need to avoid cost containment efforts becoming a long-term substitute for structural reform.

6. We trust that the Staff Union is provided with full and transparent information throughout the process to allow for its meaningful participation. We express our deep appreciation for the fruitful social dialogue that has led to the adoption of a package of negotiated terminations. We appreciate all efforts to reach agreement and mitigate any potential  legal and financial risks linked to the adoption of the decision put on the table. 

7. We also look forward to the November GB session, where we expect  proposals and decisions on concrete measures to strengthen the Organisation’s mid and long-term resilience, including contribution payment incentives and income diversification.

8. Finally, we reiterate the appreciation voiced by our Government Group Chair  acknowledging the dedicated ILO staff. They are tirelessly committed to delivering on the ILO's mandate during these challenging, uncertain times marked by organizational changes and cuts. We trust that the Office will continue to engage with staff in a transparent, fair and respectful manner throughout this process.

9. We understand the seriousness and the urgency of the situation; due to the liquidity situation the ILO is facing. We therefore can support the decision point. However, we call on the DG to do his utmost to favour negotiated terminations to reduce the number of involuntary dismissals below the maximum of 73 mentioned in the point for decision. We request clear information on this issue during the next regular GB session. 

10. We support the decision point as amended by the Workers’ and sub-amended by the Employers’ group.

Thank you, Chair.