a HISTORIC moment for just transition!

Aware of the profound impact that the energy transition processes are having on the mining regions of northern Colombia, the TEJ Collective - an alliance of trade union organisations in the mining sector - has drawn up and presented a list of demands addressed to the companies in the sector and to the national government. This proposal includes the most urgent demands of the workers in the face of the closure of mining operations, the loss of jobs and the need to guarantee a just energy transition.

For the first time in the history of Colombia, this list of demands brings together several trade union organisations in order to present a document that covers the needs and violations of all workers in the mining sector.

This sectoral demand has a tripartite approach, i.e. it seeks to bring together companies, government and workers at the dialogue table in a joint, horizontal and transparent manner. Although sectoral negotiation is not regulated in Colombia, this form of negotiation is covered by Convention 98, Convention 154 and Recommendation 163 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

One of the main commitments of the plan is to ensure labour reconversion programmes designed in dialogue with trade union organisations. These programmes include technical training, soft skills, technology transfer and support for the reinsertion of direct and outsourced workers.

In addition, the document proposes the creation of an Economic Diversification Fund, financed by the companies and the government, to promote productive projects for former workers and communities, favouring sustainable activities beyond mining.

The plan also includes comprehensive social protection measures, including continued affiliation to the social security system, proportional severance payments, cancellation of debts with employers and educational support for the children of affected workers.

With a clear gender focus, the proposal includes differentiated studies of the impact of mine closure on women and LGBTIQ+ people, the creation of care centres to facilitate their labour participation, and the establishment of quotas in training and leadership processes.

Another fundamental axis of the petition is socio-environmental reparation. The organisations propose concrete actions to restore affected ecosystems, quantify damages through technical studies and guarantee the recovery of watersheds.

They also request that at least 50% of the land used for mining be allocated to associations of former workers and communities, with adequate conditions for the development of productive agricultural, tourist or cultural activities.

The document sets out clear commitments for the different government entities. It proposes the creation of a labour observatory, tripartite committees to monitor the agreements and specific functions for ministries such as Labour, Mines, Environment, Agriculture and the ANM.

Finally, tax incentives are suggested for companies that implement labour reconversion plans and community projects, as a way to promote co-responsibility in the transition process.

This proposal represents a historic opportunity to move towards an energy transition that leaves no one behind. At CNV Internationaal, we support this process and reaffirm our commitment to the defence of labour rights, social justice and sustainability.