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The High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) is composed of senior professionals in charge of administration, human resources or general management in the UN system. FICSA participated in the 17th session, held at the headquarters of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome on 24 and 25 February. FICSA was invited to present a statement under the item "Dialogue with FICSA, CCISUA and UNISERV". After each of the staff representative bodies made its presentation, the session was opened for a dialogue.

The Federation's presentation focused on recent changes to the dependency allowances, the declining purchasing power of Professional salaries in Europe, the review of General Service job classification and salary survey methodologies, staff-management relations and staff security issues.

The HLCM members recognized the importance of good staff-management relations and that dialogue needed to be improved. This was particularly true in view of the current global financial crisis, during which staff representatives and management would need to work more closely and constructively together, and see things differently. The HLCM members were open to receiving proposals from the staff representative bodies in this regard.

The Vice-Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission, who was at the session, assured HLCM members that the work involved in reviewing the GS salary survey methodologies and job classification system would be given adequate time and resources, and that the Commission did not intend to rush the process.

The members of HLCM recognized the need to increase the safety and security measures for national staff and recommended that the HLCM Steering Committee continue its work on this important topic.