Speakers in a dialogue have called for ensuring livelihood security of the workers in the transition initiatives in Bangladesh for climate adaptation. They suggested institutional measures for rescaling and upscaling of the workers to accommodate new modalities of work.
The dialogue titled ‘Just Transition in Bangladesh: Sustainable Green Skill for Climate Adaptation' was held at a hotel in the capital on Saturday (August 27).
Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) arranged the event with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Bangladesh (FES).
Expert on climate Dr. Haseeb Md Irfanullah presented the keynote paper in the dialogue, while Vice-Chair of OSHE Foundation Dr. S.M Morshed moderated the dialogue.
Representatives from government offices, CSOs, NGOs, trade unions, development partners and research bodies participated in the dialogue.
In his keynote, Dr. Haseeb Md Irfanullah mentioned that Just Transition has been included as one of the key priority areas of actions in Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, where skill development for new employment is much emphasized. The National Skill Development Authority (NSDA) has been assigned to start the dialogue with the trade unions for integrating workers’ voice in the skill development plan.
He added that maximizing social and economic opportunities of climate action is a part of just transition.
Quoting ILO guidelines, he suggested to ensure social dialogue, skill development policies, occupational health and safety measures and social protection initiatives for an inclusive just transition initiatives.
In panel discussion, speakers of the dialogue expressed their concern on how to ensure that workers’ voice is heard effectively and their
concerns are addressed in just the transition plan and how to harness new opportunities such as the blue economy, Nature-based Solutions as a part of just transition.
The speakers also suggested to reflect just transition initiatives in other policy documents for climate action including National Adaptation Plan.
In open discussion, trade union leaders expressed their concern regarding risks of losing jobs in transport, RMG and leather sectors and suggested nation-wide need assessment for skill development and alternative employment generation for the working people.
