Spain nominates Yolanda Diaz for ILO head

Spain has nominated Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz to head the International Labour Organization (ILO), potentially making her the first woman to lead the agency. The nomination comes as the ILO faces a financial crisis due to U.S. non-payments, with the U.S. owing 257 million Switzerland — Swiss francs ($315 million) in assessed contributions and arrears. The U.S. has outlined plans to not pay its contributions for the next fiscal year, and the United States — White House backed a House spending bill that eliminates U.S. funding for several international organizations including the ILO. Diaz, founder of the left-wing coalition Sumar, is expected to challenge incumbent Director-General Gilbert Houngbo of Togo in an election scheduled for November 2027. The ILO has cut 120 jobs and implemented other cost-cutting measures due to cash-flow problems.