Social Report 2023

In the social report of 2023 we look back at the developments within the work organisation of Mondiaal FNV.

Mondiaal FNV consultant Hope Kabuchu during Global Week 2022. Photo: Liesbeth Dinissen

Diversity and inclusion

Mondiaal FNV aims to make trade unions more inclusive and ensure greater attention  for discrimination in the workplace as well as greater empowerment of women, LGBTI+ people and people of diverse colours. In our projects and projects we call for attention to these issues, one reason why it is important for Mondiaal FNV and its staff to grow and develop in this field. It was for this reason that in 2023, with the help of an external expert, we embarked on a process to explore how we can make our organisation more inclusive and more diversified, by scrutinising our own conduct, communications, and the way we formulate projects and programmes.

Sickness absences and workload

In 2023, Mondiaal FNV was still experiencing a relatively high rate of absence due to sickness (9.9%, of which 8.7% was long-term and 1.2% short-term). External consultants were engaged to replace or support the staff and the Executive Director. Despite this, the workload was unfortunately still heavier than desirable and it was not possible for all the plans to  be carried out. To help alleviate the workload, we set up a new schedule of meetings, reducing the number of meetings.

Integrity and conduct in the workplace

We said farewell to our external confidential counsellor and advisor Inge Te Brake and welcomed our new confidential counsellor and advisor Marieke de Jong. The collaboration with SEE HEAR SPEAK UP whistleblowers’ platform was continued. Discussions were held with the team on conduct in the workspace and integrity. Colleagues and consultants were given further training on travelling safely in high-risk areas.

In 2023 no reports of fraud or complaints regarding conduct were received.

Workforce

At the end of 2023, 18 people (15.6 FTE) were working at Mondiaal FNV and there were four vacancies (two mainstream appointments and two new ones). All our colleagues had a permanent contract.

A number of vacancies arose on account of employees pursuing their careers elsewhere and also because temporary additional funds had been raised. Discussions were held with the works council and the organisation on how best to fill the gaps in the staffing structure that had thereby arisen. Together with Human Capital Group, we worked on new job descriptions for the vacancies. In addition, with Human Capital Group’s help, we started a process of looking closely at all the existing job descriptions and modifying them where necessary. The position of Managing Director was changed to that of Executive Director and with respect to the powers and responsibilities of the executive director, a  management charter was drawn up and approved by the board.

In the HP area, Mondiaal FNV has the assistance of an FNV consultant.

In the Netherlands, Mondiaal FNV also made use of the services of a number of self-employed people, who assist us here at times of sickness and peak periods, and 11 independent consultants who support our work and our partners in the countries where we operate. These consultants all originate from the region in which they work. Their locations are: India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Peru and Ecuador.

As a result of discussions with our regional consultants, a working group was set up, where the  activities and responsibilities of these consultants can be discussed and where necessary reviewed.

Day-to-day management and board

The day-to-day management is in the hands of Executive Director Karen Brouwer, who reports to the board of the foundation. For a number of months, Karen was replaced by interim - executive director Marjan van Noort. In 2023, a management charter was drawn up and implemented.

The board of Mondiaal FNV consists of five members. The president and the treasurer also occupy the same positions on the board of the FNV. Other members are connected to one of the sectors or member unions of the FNV. The board members meet approximately 5 times a year. The board is non-salaried: the members receive no remuneration for attendance at the meetings. 

Board members of Mondiaal FNV foundation in 2023:

Review of Articles of Association of the Mondiaal FNV Foundation

In 2023, a review of the articles of association was prepared in order to bring these into line with  the management and supervision of legal entities act as well as to include the management charter. This will be completed in 2024.

CBA and remuneration policy

Mondiaal FNV follows the FNV collective bargaining agreement and is a member of the Employers’ Association FNV organisations. The remuneration policy of Mondiaal FNV is in line with that of the FNV and is below the maximum permitted level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (collective labour agreement Rijk scale 19). A working week at Mondiaal FNV is a maximum of 35 hours.

Personnel representative body

In 2022 a works council (OR) was established at Mondiaal FNV consisting of three people. The works council is active and involved. In 2023 there were two instances of a vacancy on the works council as a result of the departure of colleagues. These vacancies were filled. Together with management, new position definitions were worked on in the light of the vacancies arising as a result of the additional subsidy income as well as in the context of alleviating the workload of the team members and that of the executive director. On the agenda of the work meetings were matters such as carrying out an MTO, arranging for an RI&E to be carried out, job descriptions, and workload reduction.