Unions succeed in bringing global fight for environmental protection to UN labour body
“A massive amount of work has been done in the past decade
to help unions realize that there will be no jobs in a dead planet, and that we
must therefore fight hard for a transition that secures at the same time decent
work for all, as well as environmental sustainability, said Sharan Burrow,
General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation. “The outcome
achieved in the ILO confirms this objective and endorses a long-term call of
trade unions: the need to put in place a Just Transition to support those who
might be affected by the shift to sustainability”.
The outcome –a
document unanimously approved by governments, employers and trade union
representatives- provides a mandate for the ILO to root sustainability work in
the organization and to develop an action plan aimed at making environmental
concerns an integral part of the organisation’s future work. It defines the
Just Transition framework as covering macroeconomic policies for green decent
job creation, as well as industrial and sectoral policies to be defined through
social dialogue and collective bargaining.
“ This was a very challenging
discussion, but the outcome shows that despite differences between countries, it
is still possible to build a common ground for a transition, based on rights,
dialogue and ambition, said Gerardo Martinez, from the Argentinean CGT, who
acted as the spokeperson for the workers’ group. “Now we have to give a follow
up to this decision and show that our commitment to sustainable development is a
long term one”, he added.
However, a major demand from trade unions
remained unfulfilled: to initiate a process to negotiate an instrument which
would further define the roles and responsibilities of the three parties in the
just transition framework.
“The outcome at the ILC give us a tripartite
agreed just transition framework for redirecting our economies towards
environmental sustainability; the real work starts now, implementing this
framework at national level” said Laura Martin Murillo, director of
Sustainlabour and who coordinated ITUC work in the Committee. “We are loosing
lives because of the multiple environmental crisis, governments keep on delaying
decisions fearing social unrest; this vicious circle must end: the only way
forward is a transformational, democratic and forward-looking agenda, which
leaves none behind”.
More information: Conclusions on Sustainable development and Green Jobs of the International Labour
Conference
Source: ITUC