Are UN staff members overpaid?
To assure high standards for UN staff, Member States have stipulated that UN professional salaries should be comparable to those of the highest-paid national civil service. But rates of remuneration at the UN have fallen far short of those of national civil services and international organizations, and are even more out of line with salaries in the private sector of several countries. Many heads of UN agencies have expressed concern that conditions of service are no longer competitive. For professionals from France, Germany, Japan and many other countries, quitting their jobs to join the UN would mean lower salaries and benefits. Even though most staff join the UN out of support for the ideals of the Organization, the UN still has difficulty in attracting and retaining staff from countries with high pay levels. If the UN wants to continue to attract highly qualified and dedicated professionals, it must be a competitive employer offering attractive conditions. UN professional salaries a
