The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), together with its Australian affiliate, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), took part in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting 2025, held from 4 to 7 of May in Milan, Italy. As part of the Civil Society Programme, BWI co-organised the panel session “Protecting Workers’ Rights Towards a Just Transition” in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The panel brought together ADB management, and trade union representatives to discuss how workers’ rights can be safeguarded amid Asia’s accelerating climate and economic inequality. Linnea Wikström of BWI opened the session with a powerful call to action, stressing that climate adaptation must place workers at the centre, as active agents of change, not just victims of it.

Discussions highlighted urgent concerns in ADB-financed projects, including occupational safety and health (OSH) violations, labour exploitation, and restricted organising rights—issues made more pressing by climate risks. Speakers included Dr. Priyantha Wijayatunga (Senior Director, Energy Sectors Office, ADB) on embedding just transition principles in energy policy; Rekson Silaban (KSBSI, Indonesia) on the need for union engagement in climate finance governance; and Francis Kim Upgi (ITUC-AP) on addressing critical gaps in ADB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) through upcoming guidance notes. Shagufta Riyaz (BWI South Asia) raised project-specific concerns from the Balakot Hydropower Project in Pakistan, while Matt Murphy (ETU Australia) shared lessons from Australia's experience with worker-centred green investments. Finally, Bruce Dunn (Director of Policy and Technical Services at ADB), emphasised the importance of enforcing the bank’s new safeguard policies and strengthening engagement with labour stakeholders.

Throughout the session, speakers underscored the need for enforceable labour protections, formal union involvement, comprehensive OSH standards, labour audits, and inclusive training programs. The panel recognised key steps forward, including the 2023 BWI–ADB Memorandum of Understanding and the 2024 safeguard reforms. However, it highlighted that much work is still needed for effective policy implementation. The session concluded with a unified message: a just transition must be built with workers, not merely for them, ensuring truly equitable and sustainable development.