Iraqi oil and gas unions plan for Just Transition

A high number of female and young trade unionists accounted for more than half of the participants. A growing participation of women and young people in workshops and trade union structures is a new trend for the union. IGFOGPU aims to increase female and youth representation in activities and structures to at least 40 per cent.

Participants highlighted key challenges for the coming period, especially with regards to the energy transition. Anticipated implications for the fossil fuel sector relate not to a halt in production but to the adoption of new extraction technologies. This, together with a shift towards renewable energy, particularly solar power, is expected to render thousands of workers in the energy sector redundant.

​The union representatives called for a strategy to retrain affected workers and support their reintegration into the labour market.

The trade unions expect to present their position on the energy transition to the government in the coming weeks. As the largest employer in the energy sector, the government is a key interlocutor. Participants anticipate that formal dialogue will begin once the government has been fully formed.

Participants emphasized their commitment to balancing the shift towards alternative energy sources with the protection of workers' rights. The workshop recommended expanding the training programme to include trade unionists from various energy sectors. This should include meetings and grassroots training sessions planned to carry the discussions forward across affiliated unions.

"It is essential for unions to have a position so that they can convince the government of their demands for a just energy transition. This makes workshops on Just Transition of the utmost importance,"

said Hassan Jumaa, IGFOGPU president.