The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), in collaboration with the International Human Rights and Business Centre (IHRB), has produced a policy brief on the prospects of green jobs in construction. In line with the goals of a just transition, the brief comprehensively illustrates the urgent need to address longstanding labour rights issues in construction amidst the industry’s shift to sustainability.Despite projections of significant growth in green transitions, the pace and distribution of employment in green construction roles vary widely across different global regions, underscoring the importance of tailored strategies to address local workforce needs and economic conditions. A few European countries and Aotearoa-New Zealand have led the way in green jobs generation. In EU Nordic countries, the Baltic states, Switzerland and the UK, for example, 24% of jobs across sectors are already classified as green. However, this share is far higher than in Southern and Eastern European countries. Such an imbalance risks worsening existing intra-country, as well as global, economic inequalities and must therefore be considered in green transition proposals.
According to the policy brief, closing deficits in working conditions, addressing occupational safety and health (OSH) and promoting workers’ right to unionise will be central to mobilising employment in green construction. In the push to decarbonise the built environment, it will be crucial to ensure that green jobs in construction efficiently manage issues regarding high injury rates, the gender gap, precariousness, and informal work, the brief added.
The brief also showcases best practices from BWI affiliated trade unions working collaboratively to address decent work issues and skills mismatches in the green transition. Eventually, it provides practical recommendations for unions, industry employers and policymakers to navigate these transitions effectively, emphasising the imperative of fair labour practices amid industry evolution.
Commenting on the report, Ambet Yuson, BWI General Secretary, said: "Without addressing key equity considerations in the green transition, we can't solve climate change or social injustices. As trade unions, we assert that true equity requires worker participation and agency. Who better to evaluate the safety and dignity of working conditions than the workers themselves? Ensuring a just transition means starting with participation; without it, there is no environmental justice, no fair distribution of benefits, and no sustainable solutions to inequality.”
The policy brief highlights the collaborative efforts needed to foster sustainable practices that promote inclusive growth and uphold human and labour rights.
To access the policy brief, click here.
