South Africa: Unions push for a low carbon, worker responsive construction future

In an effort to unpack the concepts of climate justice and just transition to construction trade unions and workers, eight (8) BWI-affiliated construction unions from the Southern Africa Network met on 20-22 June in Johannesburg. The unions recognised the urgency to take action on the climate crisis and crafted action plans for their respective climate justice campaigns to promote sustainable, low-carbon construction practices, and advocate for policies that support climate actions and defend workers' rights. 

The workshop, which was attended by eighteen (18) trade unionists (including 5 women and 4 young workers), provided the opportunity to define climate justice and just transition in the context of South Africa’s construction and cement sectors and develop strategies for affiliates’ future engagements. Through informative presentations from University of the Witwatersrand Professor Dr. Mary Evans and trade union climate change expert Rhoda Boateng of ITUC-Africa, the participants were updated on climate change’s impact on the world of work, as well as the critical role that trade unionists must play to address the worldwide environmental crisis. 

The activity also underscored the need to engage in more collaborative efforts (with institutions of tertiary learning, labour partners in the region and elsewhere, civic society actors, informal sector workers, and respective state bodies) to raise awareness on the need for a just transition and carve out a trade union-specific voice and strategy for the protection of workers’ employment and occupational health and safety. NUM Construction Sector Coordinator Tebatso Mokena was elected as the Network’s Chairperson with the responsibility to coordinate the network going forward and serve as an information basin for the group. In accepting the position, Mokoena stated that one of the best ways the [green] transition will be considered “just” is if it is defined and adapted based on the experiences of African economies, and responsiveness to workers’ real issues and concerns.