Workers Collective for a Just Transition
For decades, the Colombia's nother mining region’s economy has depended entirely on mining. Mining has generated 160,000 jobs in Colombia. Although the coal mines will remain in the near future, mass dismissals started in 2021. The consequences include the complete loss of livelihood in a region economically dependent on mining. Therefor trade unions are calling for just transition processes. Local mining unions supported by CNV Internationaal have set up the Workers Collective for a Just Transition. It develops proposals for social plans with decent compensation for loss of work and healthcare expenses for job related illnesses.
What’s happening in Colombia?
Health issues
Many mineworkers suffer serious health problems due to the extractive work. These health problems will continue to plague them for the rest of their lives. They and their families must have the assurance that their needs will be met, both health wise and economically. Now and in the future!
Mass dismissals in coal mining
At the beginning of 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic led to mass dismissals at the Glencore owned Prodeco mine in northern Colombia.
This was due to Glencore's sudden decision to return mining titles.
Struggle for decent compensation and social plans
Trade unions have struggled to defend the interests of the workers and negotiate towards decent compensation and social plans.
Nevertheless mine multi-national Glencore continues to refuse to participate in social dialogue processes. Moreover untill recently, Colombia's previous government neglected to play a proactive role.
Swiss multi-national Glencore owns two major mines which generate 83% of the region’s GDP.
- 40% of the GDP comes from the Prodeco mine in the Cesar Department
43% of the GDP comes from Carbones del Cerrejón in the Department of La Guajira
Loss of livelihood
Mining unions have been alarmed by the company’s sudden withdrawal from Colombia, as Glencore has done so without setting up any type of social plan for the transition. Without fair agreements for the workers and communities, thousands of families are going to suffer.
The consequences include the complete loss of livelihood in a region economically dependent on mining.
Case: Death shifts
In 2021, companies in northern Colombia went from 4 to 3 shifts per month, meaning workers went from 15 to 21 days of work per month.
They work 12 hours a day for 7 days in a row, and then get 3 days of rest. The same amount of work now has to be done by 25% fewer workers. 1 in 4 miners became unemployed.
Workers call it the "shift of death" ("El turno de la muerte"] as the longer working shifts lead to exhaustion of the mineworkers, and a growing risk of fatal accidents during the latest shifts.
What we do: Supporting the Workers Collective for a Just Transition in Colombia
Trade union organisations in the mining region have realised they need to join together in order to play a stronger role in this transition. With the support of CNV Internationaal, they have established a coordination network: The Workers Collective for a Just Transition in Mining. This collective represents the workers in social dialogue and develops proposals for much needed social plans.
Their main concerns are severance pay plans and covering the costs of health problems. The Workers’ Collective, together with the stakeholders in the mining value chain, currently work to:
- Analyse and discuss the effects of the transition
- Create proposals for if/when the mines close, including the transfer of mining titles and restitutions, based on experience of other countries.
- Create social dialogue on labour issues in the mining sector to avoid more social problems due to the mining operations leaving the area.
- Have relevant parties establish a joint diagnosis of the possible impacts on El Cesar, La Guajira, and Magdalena, in terms of employability and social protection.
- Draft policy for a just energy transition, sustained by strategic plans in favour of workers in the mining corridor of Northern Colombia (the departments El Cesar, La Guajira and Magdalena).
Learn more about the Workers' Colletive's proposals in this paper:
> Labour Prospects of Energy Transition in Coal Mining
The impact of coal mining on local employment and economy in Colombia requires a responsible transition.
What we do: Supporting the Labour Observatory in Colombia
On 7 October 2021, the Workers Collective, supported by CNV Internationaal, launched a Labour Observatory for a Just Transition in Mining. Since, it has served to analyse current cases, share good practices, and to develop proposals.
The Collective is using this Observatory to share knowledge, cases, and proposals for a just transition towards a low-carbon economy, where all actors are taken into account.
The Observatory provides input for strategies to re-develop the region, to stimulate new industry, such as sustainable energy, which will provide work and a decent livelihood for the miners and all who are dependent on the industry.
What's happening: Outsourcing
Miners already have more than enough reason to unionise. In general they have to deal dangerous and unhealthy working conditions on a daily basis.
In both the coal and the metals mining sectors, miners are constantly exposed to dust and gases.
Their companies often do not provide them with the security and protection required by law. This makes them extremely vulnerable to silicosis, an irreversible respiratory disease.
The obvious breaches in labour conditions for outsourced or subcontracted workers compared to directly hired workers are another (related) issue.
Less than a third of the workers are directly employed, making outsourcing the norm rather than the exception.
Workers continue to be subcontracted in the sector. Despite the fact that they workers perform similar duties for many years, they do not progress to gain secure, direct contracts. Learn more in this animated video made by our colleagues from Latin America.
The difference is significant, both in terms of job stability and wages:
- Outsourced workers work under short-term contracts ranging from 3-6 months to 1 year.
- Due to their many separate contracts, their labour rights are always at risk, especially when it comes to non- payment of overtime and days off.
- They earn 30% less and have to work extreme hours to earn enough to meet decent living conditions.
- They almost never have the freedom to unionise or to negotiate with the mining companies for anything better.