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9 December, 2021In the past two weeks, IndustriALL in South Asia organized a webinar for the region, as well as a workshop for Indian affiliates, to discuss the future of work and Just Transition.
Discussions also covered last month’s COP26 summit, commitments made and the process of achieving the set targets. Sectors like coal, steel and energy will be in focus as the issue of global warming and climate change will mean reducing greenhouse and carbon dioxide emissions. India’s prime minister has committed to a CO2 reduction by 2030 and a net zero emission by 2070 through an increase in renewable energy sources and a reduction in thermal energy.
However, IndustriALL affiliates discussed that developments at the national level, including privatization of coal mines in India, indicate that coal mining will not end anytime soon. Energy conglomerate Adani has started coal extraction in Australia, which will be used for energy generation in India and then be sold to Bangladesh.
In his presentation, Mathias Hartwich, IndustriALL director for base metal and mechanical engineering, highlighted two mega trends workers are facing: industry 4.0 green technology in the production and services of the industry.
“Trade unions should not oppose changing technology, but demand to part of the discussions with the government and employers,”
said Matthias Hartwich.
“The skills demanded in the future will change and workers will need training. Unions need to fight for reskilling for their members and ensure that the new jobs are quality jobs with organized workers.”
S.Q. Zama from the Indian National Mineworkers Federation said:
“Coal is currently the most hated industry. Though the government has committed to reduce the use of coal in the future, it has to frame a sustainable industrial policy that covers all sectors.”
Sanjay Vadavkar, SMEFI general secretary and member of IndustriALL executive committee, said:
“The government has to start discussing its plans with unions, because the changes that are going to take place in the various industries will ultimately effect a large workforce.”
Affiliates in India decided to submit a joint representation to the government on the need to engage in dialogue with unions on Just Transition, given the commitments made by the Indian government. IndustriALL affiliates will engage with management in core sectors like steel, coal and mechanical engineering to discuss technology changes and include demands related to Just Transition in the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations.
Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary stressed that IndustriALL will support affiliates in the discussion on Just Transition.
“Transformation is happening and we need to prepare. We don’t want a transformation without or against us. Instead we need a clear labour market policy.”