18 May 2007
Following World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz's resignation, the Staff Association said, "we are shocked by the statement from the Board today which represents a full reversal of their own findings". The SA is asking that Wolfowitz be placed on administrative leave, an acting-President be appointed and staff are protected against any retaliation while ensuring Wolfowitz "prevented from making any decisions affecting the work of the Bank or its staff".
World Bank Staff Association's Official Statement:
May 17, 2007
Welcome though it is, the President’s resignation is not acceptable under the present arrangement. It completely undermines the principles of good governance and the principles that the staff fight to uphold. Staff of the WBG, Board of Governors, Executive Directors and staff cannot rebuild an institution’s reputation under such an agreement.
The staff of the World Bank have waited – patiently – for nearly six weeks, trusting that the Board of Directors would reach a solution that reflects the Development Committee's statement of April 15th. In this statement, the Board of Governors charged the Executive Directors "to ensure that the Bank can effectively carry out its mandate and maintain its credibility and reputation as well as the motivation of its staff." Given the comprehensive report by the Ad Hoc Group (on May 14, 2007), we are shocked by the statement from the Board today which represents a full reversal of their own findings and fails to meet the fiduciary responsibility placed on them by the Bank's Governors.
If the Board’s decision cannot be reversed, then we ask the Board to ensure that between now and June 30th, the following measures are implemented immediately:
Place Mr. Wolfowitz on Administrative Leave
Appoint an acting-President to manage the institution and to make day-to-day decisions
Follow Bank procedures regarding protection of documents, records, access to electronic files, and all Bank resources
In addition, we believe that in order to protect staff and safeguard against any retaliation, the Board should also ensure that Mr. Wolfowitz is prevented from making any decisions affecting the work of the Bank or its staff.
We will press the Board to answer the staff's justified concerns regarding their statement.
World Bank Group Staff Association Executive Committee