UN to hike pay of peace troops
Friday, 4 July 2014
The United Nations has decided to raise the salaries of its peacekeeping troops.
The decision has been viewed as a major success for the diplomatic efforts of the nations who send their soldiers to the international agency, according to a news agency.
The peacekeepers currently get $1,210 monthly pay, which will be raised to $1,400, the official said.
The resolution was passed at the general assembly Thursday.
The peacekeeping official said the salary raise would be implemented gradually over the next four years.
Bangladesh, which sends the highest number of troops to UN peacekeeping missions, has been lobbying for a pay hike for several years.
The proposal has been backed by India, Pakistan and African nations. Bangladesh had proposed to raise it to $1,700. Top contributors to the missions - USA, Japan and France - opposed the proposal.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN AKA Momen said the peacekeeping budget had been raised to $8.6 billion after a lot of effort.