Put workers in the centre of energy transition

On the 24th and 25th of February, I participated in an inspiring two-day training in Jakarta on just energy transition, specifically for our trade union partner KSPSI. Led by Colin Long, Climate Justice Expert from the Victorian Trades Hall Council who was doing the training on behalf of APHEDA Australia, 20 participants from five different federations of KSPSI delved into the world of just energy transition.

Together, we explored how trade unions play a crucial role in this process and why it is so important to put workers at the centre of the fight against climate change.

By our consultant in Indonesia: Rita Olivia Tambunan

Understand the impact of climate change on workers

The training was quite intense, with Colin helping the participants understand the impacts of climate change on working conditions and arrangements. For example, the impacts of heatwaves and extreme weather on workers' health; floods and droughts on production activities and thus workers' income and benefits.

Colin also helped the participants understand the reasons why an energy transition is needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. As climate change is a global concern, it is important that every nation contributes to the effort in reducing carbon emissions and understands how it affects different sectors where workers are involved.

The role trade unions play in a just transition

It is important for trade unions to ensure that the energy transition process is just for workers. Trade unions should ensure that workers' concerns and interests are considered in energy transition policies, as well as business responses. During the training, Colin shared some experiences of trade unions in different countries (including Australia, the United Kingdom, etc.) in dealing with energy transition, both at the company and sector levels as well as at the policy level.

Participants were very engaged in the interactive discussions, and the shared experiences inspired them to plan follow-up actions in their own organisations.

Building union capacity on just transition

The training is part of the Mondiaal FNV project on 'Union Capacity Building on Just Energy Transition' in partnership with Union Aid Abroad APHEDA Australia and the KSPSI union. The project mainly provides support to KSPSI to strengthen their capacity in organising and collective bargaining in the coal mining sector, especially in the East Kalimantan and South Sumatra provinces.
The East Kalimantan and South Sumatra provinces are known as the biggest coal producers in Indonesia. With the Indonesian government's commitment to achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2040, there will be a significant reduction in the use of coal in the country, which will affect workers in the coal mining sector.

Strategic organising campaigns in coal mining companies

The project will help KSPSI unions to facilitate the development of strategic organising campaigns in certain coal mining companies and their suppliers. The aim is for KSPSI unions to provide technical assistance to union members to enhance their ability to organise and educate workers on Just Energy Transition and to foster a national and cross-border exchange of experiences. Strengthening the union through organising and collective bargaining is expected to improve working conditions in mining companies and their supply chains, starting with this just energy transition issue.