International Labor Organization suspends appointment of US representative due to late payments

Opening of the 114th Session of the International Labor Conference.
Reproduction/ILO
The International Labor Organization (ILO) canceled the appointment of the main representative of the United States to the position of deputy director-general of the UN agency due to delays in the country's payments, the entity reported this Monday (1st).
"Sheng Li (United States of America) will not assume the position of deputy director-general in July, as previously planned", the ILO said in a statement sent to Reuters.
The US Department of Labor did not immediately respond to the news agency's request for comment.
Sheng Li had been appointed to the role in April, after months of delays in the selection process. Since then, however, the ILO has informed the American government that the appointment will not take effect until the country regularizes outstanding payments.
According to the organization, the decision does not prevent the United States from recovering its position if it pays off its debts.
"This decision does not affect the possibility of the United States settling its arrears and, thus, resuming its position as the largest contributor of mandatory contributions," said the ILO, adding that it is maintaining negotiations with Washington.
Three diplomats interviewed by the Reuters stated that the US government has been asked to pay at least US$50 million of the amounts owed. The situation increases uncertainty about the agency's delicate financial condition and possible job cuts.
Traditionally, the United States occupies the position of deputy director general as it is the ILO's largest financier, responsible for 22% of the organization's budget.
According to data published by the agency, based in Geneva, the USA accumulated, as of May 29, a debt of 257 million Swiss francs (around US$328 million), relating to the contribution 2026 and outstanding debts from 2024 and 2025.

Source: G1