E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2002-2003 (II)
the Working Capital Fund, for which he pointed out that as of 4 November there was a positive balance of
€143,326.07, but that if the Parties that have past due debts do not pay, there will be a negative balance on 31
December, thereby resulting in serious problems of cash flow. He emphasized the recommendation made by the
Auditors and accepted by the Commission concerning the Working Capital Fund is to have a positive balance of
30% of the budget at the end of the fiscal year. The absolute minimum recommended by the Auditors is to
maintain a 15% Working Capital Fund. Because of non-payment of contributions by members, the Working
Capital Fund has constantly decreased over the past several years to the point where it is just 3% of the budget
today.
Discussion ensued on the minor debts of some Contracting Parties, due to bank charges, as well as the need for
all the members to comply with their financial obligations to ICCAT, and that the entry into force of the Madrid
Protocol could solve this matter.
With respect to the first point, the Delegate of Cyprus indicated that the bank charges only apply to some
Contracting Parties, and that some delegations do not give specific instructions to their banks when transferring
funds. The Delegate proposed that for this fiscal year each Party assume these minor charges, and that for future
fiscal periods, the Parties give instructions to their banks to resolve these debts.
With respect to this point Mr. Juan Antonio Moreno (Secretariat) clarified that the solution to the problem would
be to inform the bank upon paying the contribution to transfer the net amount. On the other hand, he clarified
that the Commission assumes the bank charges on the deposit of contributions, since there is a specific subchapter
in the Budget, and that in 2003 expenses for about €200 were entered.
The Chairman proposed accepting the proposal made by Cyprus during its last intervention. All the Parties
agreed and this proposal was approved.
Discussion continued on the need to take measures regarding those Parties that do not pay and do not comply
with their obligations. The Chairman asked the Secretariat to study the possibilities of intervening, always within
the framework of the Convention that governs the Commission, and that suggestions be submitted at the next
ICCAT meeting.
The Delegate of the European Community asked that the Financial Report include a more detailed breakdown of
expenditures.
6. Status of the ratification/acceptance of the Madrid Protocol
This item was discussed in the Administrative Report and was discussed further under Agenda item 9 “Other
matters.”
7. Proposed changes in the ICCAT Staff Rules
This item was discussed in the Administrative Report where the amendments were presented.
The first of these is to Article 6.2.c, to adapt it to the current national regulations regarding the inclusion of
General Services staff in the Spanish Social Security System, which was adopted (Appendix 3 to ANNEX 12).
The second amendment is to Article 7.3 of the Staff Rules, which refers to the possibility of compensating the
overtime worked by staff in the Professional or Higher categories by compensatory vacation time or pay.
The Delegate of the European Community expressed that this proposal had repercussions in the budget and that
he did not think it fair that this be applied to the Professional category and not to the other categories.
The Chairman responded that it was only for this category since the others already had the option of choosing the
compensation for overtime worked.
The Delegate of the Community asked if the staff in the United Nations received payment for overtime worked.
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