Hundreds of United Nations workers held a protest in front of the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva on Thursday, demonstrating against job cuts resulting from reduced aid from the United States and other donors.
Switzerland’s Geneva—often called the “City of Peace”—is a humanitarian and diplomatic hub in Europe.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesting workers carried banners reading “Stop UN Staff Layoffs Now” and chanted slogans such as “UN staff are not commodities.” The demonstrators mentioned that smaller protests also took place on May 1 in Thailand and Myanmar.
Some organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have already informed their short-term contractors and staff about upcoming layoffs. However, fears persist that thousands more workers may lose their jobs in the near future.
Major layoffs are expected at aid-dependent organizations like the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), both of which previously received significant funding from the United States—the largest donor.
Human rights lawyer Ann Kuipers said, “They tried to keep me, but it became impossible.” Her temporary contract at the UN Human Rights Office was not renewed. “As a result, we’re in this situation now: hiring freezes and no budget,” she added.
Sévérine Debus, chairperson of the International Labour Organization (ILO) staff union, stated that at least 250 ILO staff members have been laid off since January.
“We don’t know how to deal with this situation. The most complex and stressful part is that there is no real safety net,” she said. Some employees in Switzerland are not eligible for unemployment benefits, and their visas are also expiring. An ILO spokesperson was contacted for comment but did not immediately respond.
A UN employee named Grace, who chose not to reveal her full name for privacy, told Reuters that she had risked her life to help people in conflict zones. She emphasized the importance of speaking up for such workers.
“While the UN stands up for everyone, no one stands up for the people behind the UN,” Grace said.