By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has urged the Federal Government to include critical voices in national climate change policy formulations.
Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary, NLC, made the call at the opening session of the Post COP 29 Review meeting held on Friday in Abuja.
The meeting was organised
by the NLC Climate Change, Green Jobs and Just Transition Programme with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Ugboaja, represented by Mr Ismali Bello, Assistant General Secretary, NLC said such critical voices include the trade unions, women, youths, employees of labour’s and persons living with disabilities, among others.
He said that such inclusion would help address the problem of climate injustice happening in the country.
“The truth is that we cannot be complaining of climate injustice at the global arena and be perpetuating the same at the national level through the shutting out of critical voices in the development of national climate change policies for our country.
“I must remind us that as trade unions, we feel a sense of loss at the denial of the key demands made by the working class and even some slips in major wins secured at previous COPs and COP 29.
“This includes the situation of workers and their communities as the epicentre of the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP).
“In the processes leading up to COP 29 especially the subsidiary bodies meetings, the emphasis on workers and their communities was subsumed under the general blanket of a people centred Just Transition.
“Well, the point is not lost. Even under the canopy of a people-centred Just Transition, we maintain that workers, their families and communities are the major people under consideration ”he said.
He however, said that climate change was a workplace phenomenon as most of the emissions happen in and around its corridors, adding that workers were also at the Frontline of climate change impact and ruin.
He added that this meant that workers through their trade unions must be around the driving seat of climate change policy formulations and actions at all levels as it’s action and associated response measures toll heavily on workers.
“Anything contrary would be an adventure in ghost chasing and grand greenwashing.
“It is on this note that we call for the review of the process for the development of the Just Transition Guidelines for Nigeria,” he said.
Ms Inviolata Chinyagarara, ILO Senior Specialist Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), in her remarks said that the workshop aimed at enhancing trade union advocacy for and contributing to a just transition and green jobs at local, national and international levels.
She said ACTRAV had been clear on the following key messages which were also a call to action for trade unions; for Trade unions to play an effective part in the Just Transition.
According to her, building trade unions’ capacity to navigate uncertainty and change, adapting to changing dynamics in the labour markets and changing needs of workers, and positioning themselves strategically for the future is crucial.
“The voice of workers and their trade unions need to be at the centre of just transition and green jobs policy dialogue.
“It is, therefore, crucial for trade unions to build requisite capacities to influence policy makers to develop and consider integrated policy systems.
“This is to ensure policy coherence on how climate and employment goals must go hand in hand. Indeed, this workshop is timely, and it is aimed at scaling up ongoing trade union interventions,” she said.
Similarly, Girzo Adamu, Director, Special Duties and Projects, Ministry of Labour and Employment said the Federal Government was committed to the achievement of the Just Transition Guidelines.
“I want to assure you that the Just Transition Guidelines is about to be 80 per cent delivered.
“I want to encourage you all not to give up on the demands of labour in the inclusion the Just Transition Guidelines.
“Because we were so touched that labour issues were left behind in Just Transition Guidelines and even the consultant accepted the mistake,” he said.
Dr Peter Tarfa, Consultant on Climate Change urged the NLC to participate in the development of the Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0, for climate action plans due for 2025.
He said the NDC is the road map that every country uses for its climate actions.
On the upcoming Climate Change Conference (COP) in Brazil, Tarfa advised labour to put in place work plans before attending the conference.
He also said that proper research should be done for the agenda setting, kind of negotiations that should be push forward among others.