Switzerland has threatened to deprive the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva of CHF4.7 million ($5.83 million) in savings for this year and 2026, in the form of suspended loan repayments. On Tuesday, some of its concerns seemed to have been heard. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox At the start of the meeting of the Governing Body of the ILO a week ago, Director-General Gilbert Houngbo made no secret of the fact that the institution's financial situation is "unprecedented". A few months ago, he said that the US government cuts to UN agencies had resulted in around 200 of the 3,500 jobs being lost. But almost 300 more jobs could be cut. The organisation is exploring several avenues, including relocation. During a discussion with the Governing Body a few days ago, Valérie Berset Bircher, Head of International Labour Affairs at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), warned the ILO about any relocation. The headquarters ...
