13 November, 2025The Just Transition side event at IndustriALL’s 4th Congress opened discussions on how unions can shape a fair and sustainable future for workers as industries undergo major transformation.
Roxanne Brown, IndustriALL vice president and international vice president at United Steelworkers (USW), opened the session with a call for workers to take an active role in shaping the transition.
She reminded delegates that Just Transition is not about job loss, but about securing the future of work.
“Just Transition isn’t a ‘fancy funeral’ for jobs — it’s about building a secure and sustainable future for all workers.”
Diana Junquera Curiel, IndustriALL director for energy and Just Transition, reviewed the organization’s achievements since the last Congress under the theme “Four years building the Just Transition.”
She highlighted progress on global framework agreements and gender-responsive transition strategies, urging unions to stay united and organized for the next phase.
Kan Matsuzaki, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, noted that new technologies, climate change, and shifting industrial boundaries require stronger solidarity and dialogue.
“Only a large, well-organized, and determined trade union movement can ensure a Just Transition that leaves no one behind,”
he said.
Regional perspectives
Regional secretaries presented updates from around the world, showing how unions are addressing the challenges and opportunities of the transition in their regions.
In Latin America, regional secretary Marino Vani described efforts to unite unions in mining, energy, mobility, textiles, and food to develop proposals for decent work and sustainable industry.
From Sub-Saharan Africa, Paule Ndessomin warned that workers are already facing severe impacts and emphasized the need for industrial transformation that creates jobs and supports social dialogue.
Delegates from across the globe contributed insights and demands:
- Representatives from the Philippines called for stronger collaboration between labour, energy, and environment ministries.
- Participants from Brazil and Mexico highlighted the importance of skills development, research, and industrial policy.
- A speaker from South Africa raised concerns about financing Just Transition projects in developing countries.
- From Colombia, Wilson Lopez, SINTRAELECOL, called for major investment in worker training and a return to public control of energy systems.
“Energy must once again serve the people. A Just Transition means clean energy, but it must also mean public, democratic control,”
he said.
In addition to these interventions, it was evident that many members — particularly from the energy and mining sectors — are increasingly worried about job losses and growing inequalities. They stressed that a meaningful Just Transition must respond with concrete measures, including the establishment of youth structures, equal access to education, and comprehensive retraining opportunities. Delegates also called for STEM-focused upskilling for women, expanded training and educational support across the Global South, and stronger engagement from governments and multinational companies to ensure that workers’ voices shape the transition.
Looking ahead
In her closing remarks, Roxanne Brown emphasized the need for strategy and collaboration among unions, governments, and industry to ensure that the transition benefits workers.
“We’re not preparing for a fancy funeral, we’re crafting a future,”
she said.
“This is about shaping the future we want, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
The session concluded with a shared commitment to continue building union-led strategies for a fair and inclusive transition in all sectors.