Trump Presses Fresh Push to Overhaul UN Staff Pay, Benefits

America has launched a renewed drive to overhaul United Nations staff compensation and benefits, accusing the world body of drifting from its core mandate and imposing excessive costs on taxpayers, US officials said.

The United States has been lobbying UN member states to review staff pay and benefits, which account for nearly 70 percent of the organisation’s regular budget, arguing that UN civil servants are paid significantly more than their counterparts in almost every member country.

Washington says reforming compensation could restore trust among taxpayers, generate savings and free up funds for frontline operations such as humanitarian aid and efforts to curb mass and illegal migration.

The push comes just days after Trump said a newly formed Gaza Board should replace the UN’s role in overseeing post-war governance and aid delivery in the Palestinian territory, intensifying his long-running criticism of the organisation.

Among additional priorities being pursued by the United States at UN specialised and technical agencies based in Geneva are ending business-class travel for general staff, scrapping tuition reimbursements for staff children — which can cost up to $40,000 per student annually — and removing health insurance eligibility for independent adult children and other secondary dependants, including parents and siblings.

US officials argue the measures reflect “common sense” reforms needed to refocus the UN on its founding purposes and improve efficiency at a time of rising global crises and donor fatigue.

President Trump, who has repeatedly accused the UN of inefficiency and political bias, has in the past threatened to cut funding and withdraw from key UN bodies, saying the organisation fails to deliver value for money.

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