10 October, 2024Representatives for workers, governments and employers embraced transformative measures to reshape the future of the building materials industry, including cement, forging a sustainable path which harmonizes economic growth with environmental viability and social justice.
IndustriALL Global Union together with Building and Wood Workers International(BWI) and affiliates with support of International Trade Union Confederation, industriAll European Trade Union and European Federation of Building and Woodworkers led the workers’ group delegation in the tripartite meeting convened in Geneva at the International Labour Organization (ILO), from 23 to 27 September, to adopt conclusions and recommendations for future action aimed at reshaping this important industry.
According to the ILO calculations the sector provides employment to over 50,350 million workers and contributes to up to 5.4 percent of global GDP. This was the first meeting of its kind, for this sector, and highlighted the urgency of action in order to provide Just Transition and decent employment for workers while addressing the necessity to decarbonize on the way towards environmentally sustainable future.
The workers' group successfully secured commitments on several important issues. Among others they include an agreement that social dialogue, based on respect for freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, is essential for creating policies that promote decent work and support a just transition in the industry. This includes collaboration between employers and trade unions to develop just transition plans at both the sectoral and enterprise levels.
Governments are also urged to ensure that businesses, including multinational companies, respect human and labour rights and that public procurement rules strictly enforce labour protection, such as occupational safety and health.
Additionally, the importance of skills development and lifelong learning strategies involving apprenticeships to help both workers and businesses adapt to changes in the industry. The conclusions and recommendations highlight the need for universal access to comprehensive social protection systems, especially for migrant workers and those affected by climate change and the shift to greener economies. Addressing occupational hazards, including exposure to harmful substances and injuries related to manual labour, another recognized commitment.
The meeting tasked the ILO with several actions, including developing guidelines for promoting decent work, conducting industry specific labour market assessments, and strengthening social dialogue. The ILO will also assist in identifying and managing occupational diseases related to new building materials and collaborate on risk elimination measures. The ILO will further organize development projects and regional meetings to address labour issues in the building materials industry, alongside recognizing relevant international labour standards and guidelines.
Pierre Cuppens, general secretary of the Belgian trade union CSC bâtiment-industrie & énergie (CSCBIE) chaired the workers’ group delegation, composed of union leaders and experts from IndustriALL and BWI affiliates from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Georgia, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Mauritius, South Africa, Zimbabwe, UK and US.
“This was a week full of tough negotiations and frank dialogue. We are proud of what we have achieved. Through collaboration with workers' representatives, this agreement includes social dialogue at all levels, addresses health and safety risks, supports just transition plans, develops skills strategies, and ensures sustainable social protection systems for all,”
says Pierre Cuppens.
IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Christine Olivier says:
“This landmark agreement is a shared commitment to responsible growth, the sector is now positioned to build not only infrastructure but also a more just and sustainable world for our members and their families. Our duty as workers’ representatives is to always ensure that workers are not left behind as transitions occurs.”
Photo: © Alioune Ndiaye / ILO.