Southern African unions push for climate justice and safe workplaces
This was the resounding pronouncement of members of the Southern Africa Construction Network (SACONET) during the joint BWI and 3F Climate Change Workshop held last 19-21 June 2024 in South Africa.
The said workshop brought together 21 participants, including 10 women, from 8 affiliates across 6 countries: ZCATWU and CLAWUZ (Zimbabwe), MANWU (Namibia), NUBEGW (Zambia), NUM and BCAWU (South Africa), CMWEU (Mauritius), and SINTICIM (Mozambique). The participants gained insights into BWI’s global climate change campaign, sub-regional case studies, success stories, and strategies for climate change awareness, advocacy, action, and just transition discussions, as well as worker protections.
Interactive role-play sessions allowed participants to explore the impact of climate change on workers and communities, analyse the general attitudes of key stakeholders, and outline climate-friendly occupational health and safety (OHS) demands. The workshop also addressed the intersection of green building initiatives with asbestos concerns.
Union representatives also participated in the First Annual SACONET Climate Justice and Just Transition Competition. Using the workshop content and digital activism tools shared during the 2024 BWI Global Youth Festival, participants developed climate change-related campaigns, slogans, and posters. The competition provided trade unions with practical tools to cost-effectively spread awareness and educate a climate-conscious workforce.
“We learned a lot about climate change and just transition during this three-day workshop. With the practical activities and tools provided, we aim to educate and sensitise many on the impact of climate change on OHS and produce independent materials that encourage social dialogue and secure workers’ demands for improved workplace conditions,” said Diana Siame, NUBEGW Women’s Branch Secretary.