Arrangement for the execution of the Agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and the International Labour Organisation concerning the legal status of the International Labour Organisation in Switzerland

Customs exemption

Article 1

The International Labour Organisation enjoys complete exemption from customs, statistical and similar duties on all goods for its official use imported or exported by it, it being understood that objects imported in franchise may only be sold in Switzerland under conditions fixed by agreement between the International Labour Organisation and the Swiss Federal Council.

Import and export of goods

Article 2

The Swiss Federal Council recognises so far as it is concerned that the provisions and restrictions on the import and export of goods are not applicable to objects for the official use of the International Labour Organisation and necessary for its work, subject to the provisions of general international conventions and measures of a sanitary character, it being understood that it is for the International Labour Organisation to obtain any consent from other States which may be necessary to make this exemption effective.

Social insurance

Article 3

The International Labour Organisation is exempt from all compulsory contributions to general social insurance funds such as equalisation, unemployment insurance and workmen's compensation funds, etc., it being understood that the International Labour Organisation will so far as possible and under conditions to be agreed upon insure with Swiss social insurance funds those of its agents who are not assured of equivalent social protection by the International Labour Organisation itself.

Free disposal of funds

Article 4

1. The International Labour Organisation may hold accounts in all currencies.

2. The International Labour Organisation may transfer abroad freely funds, notes, specie and securities.

3. The International Labour Organisation may convert into other currencies all moneys held by it.

4. The Swiss Federal Council will have regard to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs of this article in its negotiations with foreign Governments concerning the transfer of funds and goods.

Cyphers, couriers, diplomatic bags

Article 5

1. The International Labour Organisation may use cyphers in its communications.

2. The International Labour Organisation is entitled to use couriers and diplomatic bags under the same conditions as foreign Governments.

Press communications

Article 6

The International Labour Organisation shall enjoy the preferential tariffs applicable to press communications in accordance with the International Telecommunications Convention for its communications addressed directly or through an intermediary to the press and radio.

Freedom of access and sojourn

Article 7

1. For the purpose of facilitating the entry into Switzerland of the persons enumerated in Article 14 of the Agreement Swiss legations and consulates abroad shall be given general instructions in advance to grant visas on production of a passport or any equivalent identity and travel document and of a document sufficient to establish the official relationship of the applicant to the International Labour Organisation.

2. Swiss legations and consulates will be given instructions to grant visas without any delay or waiting period and without requiring the personal attendance of the applicant or the payment of charges.

3. The provisions of Article 14 of the Agreement and of this article shall apply in the same conditions to the wife and children of the person concerned if they live with him and do not exercise a profession.

Identity card

Article 8

The Federal Political Department shall furnish the International Labour Office for each official with an identity card bearing the photograph of the holder. This card, authenticated by the Federal Political Department and the International Labour Office, shall serve to identify the official in relation to all federal, cantonal and communal authorities.

Facilities accorded to officials not of Swiss nationality

Article 9

Officials of the International Labour Office who are not of Swiss nationality shall enjoy the following exemptions and facilities:

(a) exemption from all customs, statistical and import duties on all objects whether used or new brought by the official on his first installation in Switzerland or on his return to Switzerland after a minimum absence of three years;

(b) exemption from exchange restrictions under conditions identical with those accorded to diplomatic agents accredited to the Federal Council;

(c) in the event of international crisis, repatriation facilities for the officials and members of their family identical with those accorded to the members of diplomatic missions accredited to the Federal Council;

(d) exoneration from federal, cantonal and communal taxes in accordance with the usages established for the non-Swiss personnel of the international institutions at Geneva;

(e) exemption on application by the Director of the International Labour Office from customs duties on imported motor-cars, it being understood that this facility may not be used more often than once in three years as a maximum and that the customs duties will be due in the event of the sale or disposal of the motor-car to a person not entitled to this exemption before the expiry of an interval to be determined by common agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and the International Labour Office;

(f) the customs examination of luggage will as in the case of the diplomatic corps be limited to the strict minimum.

Military service

Article 10

1. The Director of the International Labour Office will communicate to the Swiss Federal Council a list of the officials of Swiss nationality who are subject to military obligations.

2. The Director of the International Labour Office and the Swiss Federal Council will draw up by common agreement a restricted list of officials of Swiss nationality who on account of their functions will be accorded dispensations from military service.

3. In the event of the mobilisation of other Swiss officials the International Labour Office may request through the Federal Political Department a postponement of call up or any other appropriate measures.

Diplomatic passport

Article 11

Officials of Swiss nationality of the categories fixed by common agreement between the Director of the International Labour Office and the Swiss Federal Council who travel on official mission or reside abroad on account of their functions shall be entitled to a diplomatic passport issued by the Federal Political Department.

Pensions Fund, etc.

Article 12

1. Capital sums due by the Pensions Fund or any other provident fund to the agents, officials or employees of the International Labour Organisation in any circumstances, including the termination, interruption or suspension of their services, shall be exempt at the time of payment from all Swiss taxes on capital and income.

2. The same principle shall apply to all indemnities for sickness, accidents, etc., paid to agents, officials or employees of the International Labour Organisation.

Postage-stamps

Article 13

1. The Swiss Federal authorities shall issue special stamps for the use of the International Labour Organisation within the limits allowed by the Universal Postal Convention

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2. The existing arrangements on this subject shall remain in force unless they are modified by mutual agreement.

Coming into force

Article 14

1. The present Arrangement shall come into force as soon as it has been approved by the Swiss Federal Council and the Governing Body of the International Labour Office.

2. It will become operative on the dissolution of the League of Nations.

Modification of the arrangement

Article 15

1. This Arrangement may be revised at the request of either party.

2. In this event the two parties shall consult each other concerning the modifications to be made in the provisions of the Arrangement.

3. If the negotiations do not result in an understanding within one year, the Arrangement may be denounced by either party giving two years' notice.

Entered into force: 27 May 1946