ILO staff protest against budget and job cuts in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland · Nov 12, 2026
Is it still on?
NOIt was a one-day action on Nov 12.
Last report · checked
The Tea in three lines
- Why they are protesting
- Staff are protesting against a budget reduction plan and proposed job cuts at the International Labour Organization.
- What they want
- Protesters are demanding that their proposals be taken seriously and that the consultation process be improved.
- What changed
- Nov 12: Over 300 people demonstrated at the ILO headquarters in Geneva to oppose the director-general's restructuring plan.
Both sides
What protesters want
- Stop job cuts
- Improve consultation processes
- Take staff proposals seriously
Organised by: ILO Staff Union, Unia
What authorities say
No official response reported in the sources.
The numbers
Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.
The full story
Staff at the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a protest at the organization's headquarters in Geneva to oppose a restructuring plan proposed by director-general Gilbert Houngbo. The plan includes the elimination of 120 full-time equivalent positions, with 86 filled posts slated for termination and 180 vacant posts to be removed. The ILO Staff Union, supported by the Unia trade union, argued that the consultation process was inadequate for an institution tasked with setting global labour standards. Union representatives emphasized that the cuts affect real people and criticized the management's approach to the financial crisis. While the director-general's plan has been approved by the Governing Body, employees continue to express concerns regarding job security and the institution's commitment to social dialogue. Spanish Vice President Yolanda Díaz expressed support for the protesting employees via social media.
Timeline
Over 300 staff members and retirees demonstrated at the ILO headquarters in Geneva.2
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