Communiqués

Crisis in Abidjan

An armed conflict between rebel and government forces, which started in September 2002, has turned Côte d'Ivoire from one of Africa's most stable and prosperous nations to a dangerous and chaotic place.

The ILO has evacuated most of its international staff out of Abidjan. Those remaining are protected by guards. Yet, repeated demands of local staff for evacuation, or at least for a financial allowance to hire a guard have met with no response by the Administration.

The Staff Union Committee requested that the Administration respond positively and without delay in view of the security situation in Abidjan. The ILO must assume its responsibility toward all staff members, and learn from the bitter lessons of the Rwandan genocide, when several ILO local staff were killed. When life is at stake, evacuation plans for staff members and their families, such as a temporary transfer to other African areas, would appear appropriate. The modest cost involved is justified. In Abidjan right now, all the warning signs of a serious and lasting crisis are visible. Security must be treated as a basic right for all staff.

The Staff Union Committee, in an effort to show its solidarity with local staff in this situation has decided to double its contribution to the Staff Assistance Fund for this year, to allow it to respond to requests for help. Also, the January session of the General Meeting will be invited to consider a larger yearly allocation from the Union to that Fund.

This is necessary because in addition to the security problems, many family members from areas close to the war zone sought shelter with local staff, which puts an additional burden on their budget.

THE ILO CAN AND MUST ACT NOW. THE ILO SHOULD SET THE EXAMPLE FOR THE OTHER UN AGENCIES.

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