By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has identified affordable energy access, increased climate finance and stronger protection for workers as major demands ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
The organisation, which represents about 18 million working men and women in 52 African countries, said Africa’s energy transition must prioritise decent work, social protection, workers’ participation and gender equity alongside environmental sustainability.
ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, stated this in a position paper issued in Lomé, Togo, outlining the demands of African trade unions ahead of the global climate conference.
The organisation called on parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), African governments, developed countries, international financial institutions and energy-transition partners to ensure that climate policies deliver tangible benefits for workers and affected communities.
According to ITUC-Africa, the transition towards cleaner energy must not undermine workers’ livelihoods or impose disproportionate economic costs on vulnerable communities.
It maintained that decarbonisation must go hand in hand with decent employment, democratic participation and a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of climate action.
On energy access, the organisation urged COP31 to recognise access to modern, affordable and reliable energy as a developmental right and public responsibility, particularly for African countries still grappling with inadequate electricity supply.
It called for stronger public energy systems, accountable utilities and increased investment in electricity infrastructure, including transmission, distribution, storage and maintenance.
The labour organisation also stressed the need for adequate staffing, technical capacity, apprenticeships and technology to improve the reliability of public electricity services.
It argued that where private investors participate in the energy sector, their activities must be transparently regulated and aligned with public development priorities.
ITUC-Africa further insisted that decisions on energy investments, electricity tariffs and service delivery must involve trade unions and affected communities, warning against arrangements that transfer financial risks to governments while guaranteeing private investors protected returns.
On climate finance, the organisation called on developed countries to provide new, additional, predictable and adequate funding, preferably through grants and highly concessional public financing.
It said debt relief and direct funding for public energy systems were necessary, particularly in African countries where debt servicing was limiting investment in electricity, public services, climate adaptation and social protection.
The organisation also demanded adequate and predictable funding for the Loss and Damage Fund, urging developed countries to translate their financial pledges into actual disbursements.
It maintained that such funding must not create additional debt for vulnerable countries and should support communities affected by extreme weather events and the gradual effects of climate change.
According to ITUC-Africa, the resources should be directed towards restoring livelihoods, protecting incomes and rebuilding essential infrastructure and public services.
It also called on African governments to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation through progressive taxation, including fair taxation of extreme wealth and windfall taxes on excessive profits in the extractive sector, as well as stronger action against tax avoidance and illicit financial flows.
On workers’ protection, ITUC-Africa called for the strengthening of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Just Transition Work Programme to ensure that climate policies translate into practical employment and social protection measures.
It urged COP31 to make the International Labour Organisation’s Just Transition Guidelines the central reference for developing national transition policies, with particular attention to fundamental labour rights, freedom of association, collective bargaining and safe working conditions.
The organisation further demanded that trade unions be involved in tripartite social dialogue with governments and employers in designing, implementing and evaluating climate policies.
It said general stakeholder consultations should not replace workers’ right to organise, negotiate and participate in decisions affecting their employment and livelihoods.
ITUC-Africa also called for the operationalisation of the Just Transition Mechanism to provide technical assistance, capacity-building and financial support for countries developing their national transition pathways.
It said the mechanism should deliver measurable outcomes in decent job creation, labour rights and social protection rather than become another platform for voluntary commitments.
The organisation further demanded employment impact assessments, skills development, reskilling and redeployment programmes, job or income guarantees, occupational safety measures and universal social protection in national climate and energy plans.
It warned that the closure of industries and energy facilities must not proceed without funded arrangements for alternative employment, workers’ protection and economic diversification in affected communities.
The organisation identified women, young people, migrant workers and informal economy workers as groups requiring specific protection in the transition process.
Beyond energy access, climate finance and workers’ protection, ITUC-Africa called for green industrialisation and greater African control over critical mineral resources.
It urged governments and international partners to move beyond the extraction and export of raw materials towards local processing, manufacturing, technology transfer, research and greater African participation in green supply chains.
It said investments in renewable energy and critical minerals should be linked to local manufacturing, skills development, apprenticeships and decent jobs, with binding labour, environmental and community safeguards.
The organisation also demanded formal trade union representation in national energy planning, tariff and regulatory processes, climate finance governance, just transition commissions and national delegations to COP conferences.
It called for a structured engagement mechanism between labour organisations and the African Group of Negotiators, supported by regular consultations with the African Union and regional economic communities.
It maintained that Africa’s energy transition must be shaped in partnership with workers and communities rather than imposed on them, stressing that climate action must deliver universal energy access, decent work and social justice.
