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Category : Archives
M. le Président du Comité de gestion de la CAPS
Genève, le 26 mars 2019
Monsieur le Président,
Le Bureau de la Section des anciens, très préoccupé par l’accès à l’information des retraités du BIT répartis à travers le monde, souhaite évoquer dans cette lettre la communication de la CAPS avec ses assurés, notamment les retraités.
Notre constat: d’une part, nous savons qu’une majorité de retraités n’accèdent pas ou utilisent très irrégulièrement l’internet soit qu’ils ne possèdent pas d’ordinateur à domicile soit qu’ils en disposent d’un mais ne l’utilisent pas ou très peu. D’autre part, des informations sont diffusées par la CAPS par broadcast via l’intranet au personnel actif du BIT; les retraités exclus de l’intranet n’ont donc pas accès à ces informations. Nous avons aussi été très surpris que la convocation à l’Assemblée générale consultative de la CAPS de décembre 2018 n’ait pas été envoyée aux retraités par vos soins et que vous ayez chargé la Section des anciens de la diffuser, tâche revenant au secrétariat de la CAPS. Comme vous avez pu le constater la grande majorité des participants à cette assemblée était des retraités ce qui démontre leur besoin d’information. Néanmoins la Section des anciens facilite l’accès à l’information à travers les liens établi sur son site (http://www.anciens-bit-ilo.org) avec différents organismes et services dont la CAPS.
Il est donc indispensable que l’information de la CAPS aux retraités continue à être diffusée par voie de courrier papier; les retraités sont de grands bénéficiaires des services de la CAPS vues les pathologies liées à leur âge. Les Statuts et le Règlement administratif de la CAPS ont connu des modifications conséquentes et positives ces dernières années; aussi est-il à présent nécessaire que les retraités disposent d’une édition complète actualisée de ces mises à jour. D’après les informations portées à notre connaissance ce document serait à l’impression. Pour les mêmes raisons qu’évoquées ci-dessus nous demandons que les rapports d’activité de la CAPS ainsi que les bulletins d’information continuent à être diffusés par courrier postal aux retraités.
Enfin nous nous sommes prêts à accompagner toutes les évolutions qui visent à faciliter les services et notamment la saisie en ligne des demandes de remboursement, tout en sachant que tous les retraités ne seront pas en mesure d’utiliser ce nouveau service. Nous pensons à ceux qui vivent dans les pays en développement et aux plus âgées n’utilisant pas ce service ou étant dans l’incapacité de le faire.
Très attachés à leur Caisse de santé les retraités et la Section des anciens sont en permanence disponibles pour évoquer avec le Comité de gestion et le Secrétariat de la CAPS les difficultés rencontrées et trouver des solutions et des améliorations adaptées.
Restant à votre disposition, recevez, Monsieur le Président, l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
François Kientzler
Secrétaire exécutif
Pour le Bureau de la Section des anciens du BIT
Copies : au Syndicat
au Secrétaire exécutif de la CAPS
Category : Archives
28 May 2019: Cocktail to celebrate the ILO Centenary
The Section of Former ILO Officials is organizing a programme of activities commencing at 15.00 in R3 Room II followed by a cocktail at 17.00 in Les Gobelins in celebration of the ILO Centenary on Tuesday 28 May 2019. The Director General, Guy Ryder, will address retirees during the afternoon.
11 July 2019: Centenary Lunch with the Director General
The Director General will be inviting retirees to a lunch to be held on 11 July 2019.
Full information and invitations to these events will be sent later but reserve the dates now in your agendas!
Other events
You may also be interested to know that a visit to the old ILO building, now occupied by the World Trade Organization, is being organized by the ILO for participants of the International Conference noted below which we believe is open to retirees to attend. We understand the visit is planned for 16 April. Anyone wishing to register for this Conference should do so directly with the ILO.
15-17 April: International Conference ILO100: Law for Social Justice, ILO Headquarters, Geneva
The Section of Former Officials is also looking into the possibility of organizing a separate visit to the old ILO buildings in the autumn and further information will be provided if and when available.
Category : Archives
M. Guy Ryder
Directeur général
Genève, le 26 février 2019
Monsieur le Directeur général,
Le Bureau de la Section des anciens a pris connaissance en ce début d’année de la Directive du Bureau IGDS Numéro 533 (Version 1) datée du 10 décembre 2018. De même, il a eu copie de la lettre signée par plusieurs retraités et adressée A vous-même relative aux préoccupations des retraités concernant l’accès au BIT et à certains de ses services dont l’intranet.
Si nous comprenons le souci de sécurisation de l’accès au bâtiment, nous avons toutefois le sentiment que les retraités sont de plus en plus écartés et éloignés du BIT. Nous espérons, bien sûr, nous tromper. Les dispositions décrites dans la Directive IGDS 533 ont été discutées lors des deux dernières réunions de notre Bureau, instance de direction de la Section.
Nous nous reconnaissons dans l’énoncé du paragraphe 4 “Le BIT met A la disposition des fonctionnaires et autres collaborateurs, ainsi que des personnes qui participent aux activités de l’Organisation, une place de parking…”. Les activités de la Section des anciens participent à la vie du BIT, et en cette année de Centenaire nous avons répondu présent aux différentes sollicitations et coopérations suscitées au sein de l’Organisation. Les retraités bénéficient d’un badge “courtoisie”. Toutefois nous nous étonnons que ceux qui régulièrement consacrent des temps très importants de leur vie de retraité aux services des autres, soient considérés comme des “visiteurs” en franchisant avec leur voiture le contrôle. On constate que le paragraphe 10 limite à présent le temps de stationnement de 8h A I7h pour les visiteurs et que le paragraphe 15 accentue cette disposition pour les retraités.
Les retraités peuvent participer aussi aux activités de diverses sections de Sport et Loisirs du BIT dont les horaires dépassent le créneau proposé. Nous nous félicitons que les retraités puissent y participer ce qui maintient un lien entre des générations de fonctionnaires. Il ne faudrait pas que les dispositions mises en place et futures éliminent les retraités de ces activités, du fait de contraintes d’horaire. Certains retraités viennent au BIT pour des travaux de recherche et contribuent à écrire l’histoire du BIT. Nous en publions régulièrement des articles dans notre bulletin Message. A l’occasion du Centenaire nous avons reçu des dizaines de contributions. Ces retraités souhaitent bénéficier de possibilités d’accès au BIT moins contraignantes que celles prévues dans la Directive ainsi que de pouvoir utiliser plus aisément l’Intranet.
Nous avons déjà eu l’occasion d’évoquer avec le service de Sécurité du BIT les problèmes liés à l’accès au bâtiment des conjoints de retraités et de membres de famille s’occupant de parents Ages et dépendants. Peu de progrès ont été faits et les dispositions récentes ne vont qu’accentuer les contraintes d’accès au bâtiment pour se rendre A la Caisse maladie est parfois problématique.
Aussi, le Bureau de la Section des anciens souhaite que les dispositions trop contraignantes soient revues au regard des relations que les retraités ont pu depuis un siècle entretenir avec l’Organisation ou ils ont travaillé. Un dialogue devrait pouvoir être instauré avec l’administration afin que les questions liées à l’accès des retraités au bâtiment et à certains services puissent être discutées avant que des décisions ne soient prises et imposées au détriment d’eux.
Recevez, Monsieur le Directeur général, l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Frangois Kientzler Secrétaire exécutif du Bureau de la Section des anciens
CC
Mark Levin, Directeur, HRD
Catherine Comte, Présidente, Syndicat du personnel de I’OIT
Fiona Rolian, Co-administrateur, ILO friends Facebook group Gerry
Rodgers, retraité
(Extract from Directive IGDS Number 533 (Version 1))
ILO retirees may only use the ILO car parks when issued with a visitor’s pass, in order to park their vehicles while visiting the ILO during working hours or for a specific event. Such vehicles may not be left in the car parks other than during these times. Visitors’ passes shall be valid from 8am to 5pm.
Any person who contravenes these rules will be requested to comply with the rules without delay. If he/she fails to do so, his/her vehicle may be immobilized or impounded at the owner’s expense.
Any vehicle owner who fails to respect the terms above may be subject to a penalty (wheel clamp or impoundment of the vehicle at the owner’s cost and risk). The ILO declines any responsibility for any damage caused during the impoundment or clamping of any vehicle in violation of these rules.
Charges and fees
Impoundment of a vehicle that is causing an obstruction, is badly parked or unauthorized | According to the official scale of charges of the Geneva authorities through the following link: |
Wheel clamping of a vehicle that is causing an obstruction, is badly parked or unauthorized | CHF80 basic fee |
Category : Archives
The Protocol Service of the ILO has the honour to forward an invitation from the ILO Director-General to the following events, which will take place on Tuesday, 22 January 2019, at ILO headquarters in Geneva:
Launch of the report of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work:
The report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work will be available on the ILO website (https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/future-of-work/brighter-future/lang–en/index.htm) as from 10.30 a.m. (Geneva time) on 22 January 2019. Copies of the report (in the seven ILO working languages) will be available in the Governing Body room.
After the presentation of the report of the Global Commission at 10:30 a.m., the floor will be opened for questions.
Please note that a high level of attendance is expected, so participants are advised to arrive at the ILO at least 15 minutes before the start of the event. The event will be retransmitted in room II.
The official ILO Centenary launch (ILO Colonnade – R2):
The official ILO Centenary launch will commence at 4:00 p.m. in the ILO Colonnade with short introductory statements from the ILO Director-General and the Officers of the Governing Body. The ceremony will be followed by a reception.
Kindly note that access to ILO headquarters will be through either door 4 (R2-South) or door 5 (R2-North), on presentation of a valid ILO badge or photo ID and a copy of the invitation below.
Please confirm your attendance by 18 January 2019 at the following email address, indicating your arrival time: protocole@ilo.org
ILO Protocol
Category : Archives
65th Pension Board meeting in Rome
Soon after the publication of the previous update in Message 63, the UN Joint Staff Pension Board met in Rome from 26 July to 3 August 2018 to discuss the current situation of the Pension Fund, and in particular, the Office of Internal Oversight’s report on the governance of the Fund (see below).
Office of Internal Oversight Services Governance Audit
Of the thirteen OIOS recommendations, the Board accepted six and rejected seven, the most notable of which are mentioned below. The recommendations and the Board’s comments on these are taken from document A/73/341 to the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. The paper was discussed by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) in November 2018 (https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/gaab4301.doc.htm).
Notable recommendations rejected by the Board :
See document A/73/341 OIOS Report to the UN General Assembly on the Governance Audit (http://www.undocs.org/A/73/341), document A/73/9 Report of the UNJSPF Board’s Report on the OIOS Governance Audit (https://undocs.org/en/A/73/9) and OIOS’ comments on the UNJSPF Board’s Report (https://oios.un.org/resources/2018/11/bBzlau6P.pdf) for further information.
Financial health of the Fund
Following the meeting in Rome the Board issued a communiqué, which confirmed the information given in our previous article: that the Fund is currently in sound financial health. The Fund assets at 31 December 2017 were $64.1 billion with a small actuarial deficit of 0.05% of pensionable remuneration. The investment performance for 2017 was extremely strong (due to buoyant financial markets during that year but which are unlikely to continue in the medium-term), achieving a nominal investment return of 18.6%, thus exceeding the 3.5% real rate of return needed to ensure the Fund’s long-term solvency. Now a mature Fund, the ratio of beneficiaries to active participants is growing and benefits exceeded contributions by some $272 million in 2017. It should also be noted that the number of active participants actually fell in 2017 by 1.2% as against the actuarial assumption for 2017 of a 0.5% increase. The Board is aware that there is no room for complacency and that it is more vital than ever that the investment performance meets or exceeds the target of 3.5% annual real rate of return.
Operational issues
The Board stated that following the clearance of backlogs between August 2015 and the second half of 2017, IPAS is now functioning satisfactorily albeit with room for improvement. Nevertheless, only 62% – against a target of 75% – of cases had been processed in 2017 within 15 working days of the receipt of complete documents.
Human Resources
In the last update we advised that the CEO, Sergio Arvizu, had been on long-term sick leave since August 2017. It has now been confirmed that he will leave the UN on 7 January 2019. The Deputy CEO was due to retire at the end of August 2018 but was extended up to 31 December 2018 while the process to find his replacement was underway. Unfortunately, following allegations by the UN participants’ representatives of irregularities in the recruitment procedures and the selected candidate’s qualification for the post, the candidate withdrew his candidacy. At the time of writing we do not know where the process to replace the CEO and Deputy CEO currently stands.
Category : Archives
In the previous Message (No. 63-2018) we raised the issue of changes to be made from January 2019 for residents in France who are liable to income tax. Over the summer there were concerns about the state’s technical ability to implement the proposed reform, but a final decision has now been made that it will in fact be implemented correctly.
For employees, tax will be deducted at source by the employer who already pays the many employer and employee social security contributions, and who will now also have the new obligation to retain the tax that the employee owes to the Tax Authorities. But since retirees no longer have an employer, their tax will be directly deducted from their bank account. This should not significantly change the prevailing practice for the majority of retired taxpayers who have already opted for a monthly payment system. The deduction will be made over 12 months and cash payments will be prohibited above an annual tax of 300 euros.
The amount of the tax that will be levied monthly is shown on the tax notice which should have been received at the end of the summer of 2018 and payments will begin in January 2019. However, this does not change the obligation to make the annual tax declaration in spring 2019. Taxpayers will continue to receive their pre-filled declaration by mail or will be able to consult it on their personal space which they may access on the Ministry’s website (http://www.impots.gouv.fr). By the end of the summer at the latest, or very quickly for those who make the declaration by Internet, taxpayers will know the amount of the effective tax for 2019 and the projected tax for 2020. The Tax Authorities will make a refund if too much has been paid or if requested to repay the balance. The Tax Authorities are encouraging taxpayers to create their personal space on the internet to do the entire administrative process: declaration, payments, possible changes, etc. But the paper declaration remains possible even if the goal is to have zero paper.
We advise you to read the information sheet attached to your tax notice which you should have received at the end of the summer of 2018 and which gives detailed information on the questions that you may have on this subject. A manager from the Bellegarde sur Valserine Tax Authorities will speak at the ILO Pre-retirement Seminar, Tuesday 13 to Friday November 16 2018, during a session focusing on taxation in France. Please also be aware that it is always possible to contact the Tax Authorities for your own area for additional information on your particular situation.
Category : Archives
As is the case every year during the summer period, representatives of the International Civil Servants Associations, many spread around the world, and members of FAFICS, met in Rome. The Section of Former ILO Officials does not participate but is represented by AAFI-AFICS Geneva. François Kientzler, Executive Secretary and Abdoulaye Diallo, Deputy Executive Secretary, are members of the AAFI-AFICS Board and represent the Section. We cannot be nominees for the AAFI-AFICS delegation to the FAFICS Council as only elected members (natural persons) can be selected. We could participate as observers but this choice has not been made in recent years given the past dysfunctions of FAFICS.
However, we would like to bring to your attention information which we have learned through AAFI-AFICS on the results of issues which are of regular concern to the Section. With regard to the Pension Fund, AAFI-AFICS delegates were aware of an OIOS (Office of Internal Oversight) audit on the governance of the Fund. Some of the recommendations proposed go against the interests of FAFICS and call into question its ability to represent all the pensioners of the Common System. Representatives of FAFICS currently participate in the work of the Pension Board (although they do not have a vote). A recommendation by OIOS proposes the direct election of retiree representatives and thus dismisses the representatives of FAFICS; such a proposal is not acceptable to FAFICS which would thereby be stripped of one of its essential missions. Another proposal concerns the representation of the various International Organizations that are members of the Pension Board Committee: that this representation should be reviewed in favour of the United Nations, which would then have an absolute majority in the Pension Committee, and smaller Organizations no longer have a representative. (See article on the meeting of the Rome Pension Committee following the meeting of FAFICS).
The respective presentations by the Deputy CEO (Acting CEO) in the absence of the CEO for a year and by the Representative of the UN Secretary-General (RSG) for the investments of the assets of the Pension Fund were appreciated by the delegates because they provided, respectively, positive information regarding the management of the Fund and investments. The result of the most recent actuarial study shows a healthy fund, despite the noticeable effect of retirees’ increasing longevity.
The issues concerning retirees’ health protection remain focused on a transfer to national regimes of the country of residence, a proposal discussed within the “Standing Committee on After Health Insurance and Long Term Care”, known as ASHI. But for the representatives of the insured in this Committee such a decision by the organs of the UN General Assembly would leave many pensioners without coverage, because many countries do not have national health insurance systems.
Delegates to the FAFICS Council also discussed the Federation’s internal rules of operation. Proposals have been submitted; but delegates called for wider consultation among all members, particularly with regard to the number of Vice-Presidents and the rules for the examination of nominations. Notably Marco Breschi, retiree from the FAO Rome, was elected President of FAFICS and Pierre Sayour, retired ILO official, was elected Secretary General (both of whom are new people). Representatives of the Bureau of the Section had the opportunity to meet with them this summer and discuss their concerns with them.
Additional information can be found on the respective websites of AAFI-AFICS Geneva and FAFICS. To access these, go to the Section’s web site
(Http://www.anciens-bit-ilo.org); see pages under “Activities, Relations with AAFI-AFICS and FAFICS” where links allow you to enter these two sites.
Category : Archives
On 26 October, François Kientzler, Executive Secretary, and Abdoulaye Diallo, Deputy Executive Secretary, met with regional ILO Staff Union representatives (see below) in the presence of Catherine Comte, Union President. The delegates were in Geneva to attend the Union’s GA but also for working meetings with the Staff Union Committee and with the Director-General.
We wanted to meet with the delegates because we are concerned about, and attentive to, the situation of pensioners in the regions, and in particular that of retired local staff. A round table discussion allowed some crucial points to be raised, such as problems related to the delay in reimbursement of health costs but also the non-recognition of the SHIF insurance card by hospitals and health centres in numerous countries. This card includes a toll free number but in fact the number is not free in Africa. Retirees in Africa also have difficulty in accessing the offices where they worked; it would be desirable for an access card to be issued to them, in the same way as at Headquarters in Geneva. There are often serious delays in determining pension entitlements; the Section, in coordination with the Staff Union Committee, is available to help speed up the procedures with the Pension Fund.
The Section’s Executive Secretary hoped that, as is already the case in Dakar and Lima, retirees’ sections could be set up within the ILO Local or Regional Trade Unions. This would help maintain relations between local retirees; the lifetime membership fee for local staff is US $ 50. The Section’s website, which is regularly updated, allows retirees around the world to stay in touch. Visiting the site – no password is needed to access it – convinced delegates of its usefulness and the value of its content for retirees. The Geneva-managed site (http://www.anciens-bit-ilo.org) is ready to receive information from the regions in order to give it the necessary publicity. Former civil servants residing in the regions may also join a national union which brings together all retirees of the various international organizations. These national unions are generally adherents to FAFICS (Federation of International Civil Servants Associations).
Regional Stewards:
Category : Archives
Friends of the Arts and Decoration Circle of the ILO came in large numbers – about a hundred people – to participate in the opening of the exhibition held from 17H00 to 19H00 on Tuesday, 2 October 2018 in the ILO Hall of Colonnades. The location of the exhibition is remarkable due to its large windows, letting light filter in unrestricted, and in being a busy passageway giving an opportunity for the artworks to be viewed by the greatest number of people possible. It was a great event and the participants were able to wander through the Hall of Colonnades and discover the fruit of the work of the 19 exhibiting artists. The name “Arts and Decoration Circle” has really been justified this year by the variety of works presented; abstract and representative paintings and pictures, sculptures, faience painting, jewellery and floral decoration (the latter courtesy of Madeleine Hamilton, Madeleine Brandt and Gudrun Jesse).
At the beginning of his address, François Kientzler, President of the Circle, gathered the exhibiting artists around him. After welcoming the guests, he recalled that the exhibition was the result of the work done by the artists of the Circle over the past months and that the exhibition was a privileged moment to present it. Artists often work in isolation, even in secret, and such an exhibition is an opportunity for friends and family to gather and share the artists’ pleasure and pride in their work.
Then the President thanked all those who participated in the preparation of this exhibition and allowed its realization, in particular the ILO’s DCOMM Service in charge of internal and external communication, Ms. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Alexander Belopopsky and Marcel Crozet. The INTERSEV Services, FACILITIES, SECURITIES are also key elements in the organization of the exhibition with the final authorization being given by Mr. Guy Ryder, Director General, who permits the exhibitions to take place in the ILO. The President mentioned the three people exhibiting for the first time this year, two of whom are still working in the ILO. He warmly welcomed the opening up of the Circle to younger artists, which in his view confirms the interest in the Circle’s exhibitions. Five years ago when the Circle was rejuvenated, it was far from certain that it would be a success but every year there is another step up in the quality of the exhibited works – which was also the general opinion of the guests present. The Circle currently has about 35 members.
Next year, 2019, will be the ILO’s centenary year. The Director General would like ILO retirees to participate in this event. The Bureau of the Section of Former ILO Officials, in meetings with the representatives of the administration, expressed the interest of the ILO Arts and Decoration Circle in contributing to the Centenary at some point during 2019.
In conclusion, the President thanked all the participants for their presence, which he emphasised is a great encouragement to the Circle to continue its activities and development. He wished everyone good luck in this exhibition and invited them join him for a drink in the Espace Gobelins. It was a very convivial moment shared between friends.