November 2014 Martine Brunschwig Graf, President BAC, former member of Swiss Parliament

 Abuse cases as in the headlines of the medias  Diplomatic status versus local legislation  A reputation problem fort the diplomatic community in Geneva and in Switzerland

 With WTO, increasing number of diplomats installing in Geneva  Necessity to find solutions to working conflicts involving diplomats and foreign representations  Cooperation between cantonal authorities of Geneva and Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Diplomats and international employees in Geneva  1920: 200  2013: 42’000  36 International organisations, 253 foreign representations, NGO

 Amiable settlement works better than endless procedures  Pragmatic solutions and realistic amounts  Unbiased hearings with both parties  Amiable settlement signed by parties under the auspices of Amiable Compositeur

 Mediation office mandated by Geneva Government, with agreement of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs  Central mission: amiable settlement in working disputes involving employers with diplomatic status

 Three Amiables Compositeurs; designation by Geneva Government  Isabel Rochat, former member of Geneva government  Francis Amar, former ICRC Delegate  Martine Brunschwig Graf (P), former President of Geneva Government and former member of Swiss Parliament

 A call, an , a mail, without formality  Answer to any questions connected with the relationship beetween employees and employers  Negociation of amiable settlement  Logistical support in special cases  Free of charge interventions

 % women  % employees  Way of approach: Hearsay, Swiss permanent Mission, social institutions, trade unions,  Universal problem: 5 continents  More and more preventive consultation

1995 – 2013  Total : 1’135 cases  Total amounts paid by employers: CHF: 2.7 millions  Direct amiable settlements concluded: 256

 About 40%: dismissal conditions (period of notice, severance pay, )  About 30%: respect of work contract (salary, holidays, overtime, social insurances, etc)  Traffic or abuse of human beings: %  Various abuses: 6 à 10%

 Culture Shock  Balanced solutions  Invisible part of iceberg  Faith and credibility