Nathalie Meynet, President of the 60,000-strong Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA), has recently written a powerful letter to Philémon Yunji Yang, President of the General Assembly, and to all Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives accredited to the United Nations in New York. In this letter, Meynet highlighted the challenges faced by international staff working at the UN and called for action to address these issues.
CCISUA represents the voices of thousands of UN employees from different countries and backgrounds, who work tirelessly to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development around the world. These employees play a crucial role in the functioning of the UN and its agencies, yet they often face numerous challenges that hinder their ability to carry out their duties effectively.
In her letter, Meynet emphasized the need for fair and transparent recruitment processes, as well as the importance of ensuring equal pay for equal work. She also called for measures to address the issue of non-renewal of contracts, which affects a significant number of international staff members and their families. This instability not only impacts the well-being of these employees but also has a negative impact on the work of the UN.
The letter also highlighted the issue of delayed payments, which has become a major concern for international staff. Meynet urged for timely and accurate payment of salaries, as well as the provision of adequate benefits and allowances. She stressed that these employees deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and their hard work and dedication should not go unrecognized.
Furthermore, Meynet raised the issue of workplace harassment and discrimination, which is a grave concern for many international staff members. She called for a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of harassment and discrimination and stressed the need for effective measures to prevent and address such incidents.
Meynet also expressed her disappointment at the lack of progress in implementing gender parity at the UN. Despite numerous efforts, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions at the organization. She urged for concrete actions to achieve gender equality and diversity within the UN workforce.
In her letter, Meynet emphasized that these issues are not new and have been raised repeatedly by CCISUA and other staff unions. However, there has been little progress in addressing them. She called upon President Philémon Yunji Yang and all Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to take action and work towards creating a fair and just working environment for international staff at the UN.
As the President of CCISUA, Meynet has shown strong leadership and dedication in advocating for the rights of international staff. Her letter serves as a wake-up call for the UN to take concrete actions to address the challenges faced by its employees. It is essential for the organization to ensure that its workforce is treated fairly and with respect, as this will ultimately contribute to the success of its mission.
In conclusion, Nathalie Meynet’s letter is a powerful reminder of the importance of valuing and supporting the international staff of the UN. As President of CCISUA, she has shown unwavering commitment to improving the working conditions of these employees. It is now up to the leaders of the UN to take heed of her words and work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all. We hope that this letter will spark positive change and lead to a better future for all international staff at the United Nations.
