Sharan Burrow – On workers’ rights, a green recovery and the need for a just transition

Planet A - Talks on Climate Change

In the 14th episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with Sharan Burrow about how we can make the green transition fair for workers.

Burrow is General Secretary of “ITUC” (the International Trade Union Confederation), a Brussels-based union organization that works to promote and defend workers’ rights and interests around the world.

During Burrow’s tenure as General Secretary, ITUC has become an increasingly important voice on climate action but remains deeply committed to a “just transition” and calls for measures to protect workers, their families and communities.

She argues that unions and employers should strengthen their dialogue and create a “floor”, a strong basis of worker’s rights, as it is the case in the Nordic countries.

It is not only a question of providing job training for skills needed in the renewable energy sector, but also about shielding workers from the economic turmoil that the transition creates.

Thus, we should learn from the mistakes made during the financial crisis and shun austerity measures, and increase taxation on the wealthiest and international tech-companies.

Burrow also points to the importance of national transition agreements such as the one the Spanish government concluded with its coal miners. However, to attain a truly just transition, we must focus on all sectors as exemplified by Scotland’s “Just Transition Commission”.