PROPOSED SALARY INCREASE REQUIRES $1.5 MILLION IN 1998-1999, FIFTH COMMITTEE TOLD

2 December 1997

Press Release
GA/AB/3198

PROPOSED SALARY INCREASE REQUIRES $1.5 MILLION IN 1998-1999, FIFTH COMMITTEE TOLD

19971202 Debate on Reform's Budgetary Implications May Begin Friday

Some $1.5 million would be required over the next two years if the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) to adjust the base salary scale of staff at the Professional and higher categories by 3.1 per cent, effective 1 March 1998, the Fifth Committee was told this morning.

As it considered the United Nations common system and aspects of the proposed 1998-1999 budget, particularly the financial implications of ICSC recommendations, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), Conrad Mselle, said that the cost would be considered before the budget's adoption by the Assembly. Mr. Mselle was orally presenting the ACABQ's views on the implications of the ICSC report.

In its report (document A/52/30), the ICSC recommended that the salary increase be implemented through a consolidation of post adjustment. [Under that procedure, the increase will be offset by a corresponding drop in the levels of post adjustment classification worldwide. As a result, net remuneration -- base salary plus post adjustment -- will remain unchanged.]

The ICSC, a 15-member body, advises the Assembly on remuneration and conditions of service of United Nations staff.

According to a report of the Secretary-General on the costs of the ICSC decisions and recommendations (document A/C.5/52/22), the additional $1.5 million comprises of $676,300 for the 10 months of 1998 and $795,480 for 1999. Most of the sum would be taken up by adjustments to mobility/hardship allowances, which are derived from base salary.

The Fifth Committee Chairman, Anwarul Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh), then drew attention to a letter from the President of the Assembly, which asked the Committee to take up, as a priority, the financial and budgetary implications of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's reform proposals.

Fifth Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/AB/3198 35th Meeting (AM) 2 December 1997

After the ACABQ Chairman volunteered that the Advisory Committee's views on the programmatic and financial implications of the Secretary-General's reform proposals would be published by Friday, 5 December, Mr. Chowdhury said the Fifth Committee could start formally considering the matter upon receiving that report -- on Friday or on Monday, 8 December.

The Fifth Committee is scheduled to meet again at 10 a.m., tomorrow, 3 December, to continue discussing the financing of the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia.

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