ILO chief to face Spanish minister in leadership battle

International Labour Organization chief Gilbert Houngbo will face competition in the coming months from Spanish Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz Perez as he seeks reappointment to the United Nations agency's top position.

As the deadline for submitting candidacies drew to a close on Monday, the Spaniard emerged as the sole challenger seeking to unseat Houngbo, whose term ends at the end of September 2027.

The two will face off in a public debate on September 23, allowing them to present their platforms and objectives for the ILO, which like many other UN agencies has been plunged into crisis amid deep funding cuts.

They will subsequently appear on November 9 for hearings before the ILO's governing body, which will then elect the agency's next chief by secret ballot on November 16.

The governing body serves as ILO's executive arm, comprising government, employer and employee representatives, in line with the agency's unique tripartite structure.

The UN labour agency's mission is to promote workers' rights and improve working conditions.

Last June, for instance, it adopted a landmark treaty aimed at protecting platform workers within the digital economy.

However, the Geneva-based agency has recently faced turbulence amidst slumping international funding, especially from the United States, traditionally its biggest contributor.

The ILO relies on the United States for the bulk of its funding -- 22 percent of the budget -- but according to the agency's website, Washington has accumulated arrears totalling more than 173 million Swiss francs ($214 million) for 2024 and 2025.

It has also yet to pay its 2026 contribution of 84 million francs, the ILO says.

Faced with these financial pressures, the agency has initiated a reform plan that includes slashing 120 jobs, or the equivalent of 73 full-time positions, according to internal documents seen by AFP.

The governing body is set to consider that proposal at a meeting scheduled for September 7.