Labour groups demand workers’ voice in climate policymaking
Those most responsible for carbon emissions are not the ones paying the price, they say
Bangladesh's labour rights organisations have urged policymakers to include workers' perspectives in climate action strategies, highlighting that labourers remain among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
"While we hear strong global and national commitments to address climate risks, the specific vulnerabilities of workers are often overlooked. We assert that climate justice is an integral part of workers' rights," said Shakil Akhter Chowdhury, general secretary of the Bangladesh Labour Federation (BLF), in a written statement during a press briefing at the National Press Club today (9 November).
The BLF and the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) jointly organised the press briefing, with the support of Mondiaal FNV, a Netherlands-based international trade union solidarity organisation.
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It was held ahead of the 30th UNFCCC Global Climate Summit (COP30), scheduled to take place in Brazil from 11 November.
Under the banner of the National Alliance for Just Transition Bangladesh (NAJTB), labour groups unveiled a 10-point charter of demands. These include the inclusion of workers' representatives at every stage of climate action, fair and worker-centred access to climate finance, ensuring job security, integrating workers' fundamental rights into climate policies, promoting gender equality and inclusive transitions, establishing an independent monitoring authority, ensuring global solidarity and fair responsibility, and designating COP30 as the "Implementation COP for Just Transition".
In response to a question, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of BILS, said, "The government must take responsibility for affected workers, and companies must also be held accountable. As trade unions, we will continue to raise our voices in this regard."
"Those most responsible for carbon emissions are not the ones paying the price—we are. Therefore, the government must take proper steps to protect workers from the impacts of climate change," he added.
