27 November, 2012IndustriALL's Brian Kohler recently spoke on “Energy, Climate Change and Decent Work” at the ILO Solutions Forum of the UNIDO Global South Development Expo, 12 November 2012.
His presentation aimed to inform a diverse group of participants about the experiences of IndustriALL in the promotion of worker’s rights in the Global South, particularly in the energy and mining sectors. IndustriALL demands that industry and governments to develop decent, safe and sustainable jobs. This will only happen if there is a sustainable industrial policy in place. Global framework agreements and/or global corporate networks are two of the important tools that IndustriALL uses to promote decent work, worldwide.
Trade unions have always striven for labour standards, working conditions and income to be levelled upwards. In addition, trade unions practice triangular cooperation (unions from developed countries supporting Southern-led initiatives) to build capacity for ongoing south-south collaboration.
Sustainable energy is at present only a goal, although it has the potential to create large numbers of decent jobs. However, this will only happen if there are policies in place to make it happen. Additionally, a Just Transition must be ensured so that existing workers benefit from the move towards sustainability and not just hypothetical new workers in greener jobs. The implications of sustainability for education and skills training, human rights, labour rights, and other social values, have not yet been mapped out, but clearly they cannot simply be left to the deregulated free market.
As trade unionists, we have a responsibility to ourselves, our families, and our communities. We must speak for today's workers - and future workers. Sustainable development is the goal. Just Transition is the path. Sustainability must be the basis of a sound industrial policy, to preserve existing jobs and create new jobs that provide decent work in a greener economy. There are no jobs on a dead planet.