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November 20, 2024November 20, 2024
By Chuks Oyema-Aziken (Baku, Azerbaijan)
The Nigeria Labour Congress has taken its demand for just transition for workers to COP29 holding in Baku Azerbaijan.
At 2 side events, the NLC said workers are at the heart of the climate change reality including its occurrence, impact and negotiated solutions.
The body said because more than 95% of green house gas emission happen in the workplace.
The NLC in its paper said that workers more than any other demography deserves a solid seat, a strong voice and social partnership across local, subnational, national, regional and global climate change public policy construct spaces in order to foster a just transition to green economy.
The NLC in a report presented presented by the Research Consultant, Mr. Elijah Iklaga underlined key gaps in the inclusion of trade unions in public policy spaces on climate change and just transition manifested by disrespect of fundamental rights at work, poor consultation with workers through social dialogue, green skills acquisition and upgrading; scanty social protection cover for vulnerable workers marked by weak occupational safety and health safeguards, and sparse skills audit to establish current skills deficits in Nigeria’s seven priority sectors – energy, power, industries, AFOLU, transport, water, and waste,
The first side event was graced by goodwill messages by the Honourable Commissioner for Environment for Kano State, Honourable Nasiru Sule Garo and the Chairman of the Kano State House Committee on the Environment, Honourable Musa Ali Kachako who expressed support for the mainstreaming of workers and other stakeholders in the discussions for the decarbonisation of the global economy and green transition.
The Panellist discussants for the NLC First side events at COP 29 in Baku comprised Brother Eric Manzi, ITUC Global Deputy General Secretary; Brother Robert Marinkovic, IOE Adviser on Climate Change and Green Economy; Sister Boitumelo Molete, and Sister Jenny Cooper, Trade Union Congress United Kingdom Representative at COP 29. The Panellists all highlighted the critical place of workers in climate change and the inalienable role that workers must play to bring about climate justice.
The panellists further identified the need for the mainstreaming of the decent work agenda in all climate change discussions and engagements. The pillars of protection of rights at work, promotion of full and productive employment, social dialogue, and social protection were delineated as effective enablers in ensuring that workers achieve a just transition.
The second NLC Side Event on Delivering Just Transition through Social Partnership was at Nigeria Pavilion, COP 29, Olympic Stadium, Baku, 18th November 2024. Kebbi State Deputy Governor, HE Alhaji Umar Abubakar Tafida, delivered the keynote remarks highlighting the commitment of the State Government to fostering a green economy for the state through social partnership especially with workers and other stakeholders.
Leading the panellist discussions, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abba Kalgo emphasised the need for sustainable financing for climate change initiatives including the just transition. He said that the Kebbi State Government is willing to work with development partners and social partners such as trade unions to realise the state government’s ambitions for a green economy that works for all.
Comrade Echezona Asuzu, NLC National Coordinator on Climate Change, Green Jobs and Just Transition called on workers all over the world to always make the point that climate change is a workplace reality given that most of the emissions happen in the workplace leaving workers as index victims.
