8 November, 2010IMF holds a meeting on climate change and green jobs in India, bringing together Indian union leaders to begin a process of developing a united union position on the issue.
INDIA: Union leaders from across India participated in an International Metalworkers' Federation seminar on climate change and green jobs on November 2 and 3. The seminar was attended by government, civil society groups, academia, International Labour Organization (ILO), Building Woodworkers' International (BWI), International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) and representatives from the United Steelworkers (USW), Blue Green Alliance and IMF Africa office.
The seminar was the first time that union leaders gathered to discuss a joint strategy on climate change for the union movement in India. The meeting took place at a time when the Indian government recently announced the establishment of a climate task force, an integral part of a national action plan on climate change and green jobs. Sadly delegates to the seminar heard that the task force has not had any representation from the trade union movement on these vitally important issues. Much of the blame for a lack of engagement however comes from the fact that this is seen as new subject for the trade union movement in India.
Welcoming the participants Sudhershan Rao Sarde, IMF Regional Director said that the two day seminar provides a platform for trade unionists and civil society activists to analyze and examine India's approach to climate change and green jobs and work towards an understanding on how trade unionists will work together towards a solution at national and global levels.
In his inaugural address Shri Harish Rawat, Honorable Minister of State for Labour and Employment welcomed the IMF imitative in hosting the meeting and called for greater participation from the Indian trade union movement and promised "The outcomes of this meeting will have an influence on the future deliberations of the Indian government," adding "I strongly feel that we must work together."
Shri. Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC appreciated the Indian government's efforts on climate change and green jobs, and called on the trade unions in developing and developed countries to work together to face the challenges posed by climate change and strengthen their position to be part of the solution.
Shri Umromal Purohit, General Secretary, Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) expressed his deep concern over climate change and argued that workers' welfare should be inherent part of solutions to climate change. He argued that solutions to climate crisis are only possible through a sustainable development approach, where the society's production process is able to satisfy the needs of the present generation while providing enough space to fulfill the needs of future generations.
The union leaders reacted by calling for the government task force to be more inclusive and committed to greater cooperation amongst unions in order to build their knowledge base and also to develop coherent policies on behalf of workers. They warned that the development of green job must seek to reduce rather than increase India's 125 million working poor and also take account of the 190 million unemployed. The leaders also committed to establishing a union task force which could arrive at a collective position in order to further engage with civil society and the government.
During the meeting participants also had the opportunity to hear how other regions and unions had developed similar approaches to climate issues. In North America unions and civil society groups such as the Sierra club had been able to form the Blue Green Alliance, an organization which promotes both environmental and workers' rights. In Africa, unions had developed a joint statement on climate issues in preparation for the COP17 which will be hosted in 2011 in South Africa.
Rob Johnston, IMF Executive Director closed the meeting by saying, "Engagement on climate change issues is not an optional issue for unions. Only one group can legitimately speak out on behalf of working people and that's the trade unions. This voice has not been loud enough on these issues in India, but I feel confident that this will no longer be the case."