Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says the body will ensure that social safety nets and insurance policies are provided for workers who may lose their jobs in the face of the global energy transition.
As the world begins the move away from fossil fuels, there have been calls for a ‘just transition‘ that leaves no one — including persons who work in fossil fuel companies, and whose jobs might be affected — behind.
At the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, the NLC organised a side event with the theme: ‘Justice for workers in the just transition’, aimed at pushing for rights of workers as talks to move to cleaner energy gains momentum globally.
Speaking to TheCable, Ajaero said although the NLC envisions job losses as the world transits, the renewable energy era will open up more opportunities for workers.
He also said the body will push for upskilling of workers who will be moving away from the fossil fuel space, in order to ensure that they are well equipped to gain jobs in the new areas that renewable energy will provide.
“Despite the global perception of job losses, I don’t seem to believe so, especially coming from the energy sector,” Ajaero said.
