Labour rights key to green transition

June 30, 2026(MLN): Key policymakers, labour representatives, researchers and development partners on Tuesday called for a worker-centric approach to Pakistan's transition towards a low-carbon economy, stressing that climate action must go hand in hand with decent employment, social protection and inclusive policymaking.

The consensus emerged during the 5th National Labour Conference, held under the theme "Decent Work and Just Energy Transition" and organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Pakistan, where participants examined the social and economic implications of the country's evolving climate and energy policies.

Addressing the inaugural session, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening labour institutions, promoting decent work and ensuring that workers remain protected as Pakistan moves towards a greener and more climate-resilient economy, according to APP.

The conference brought together policymakers, trade union representatives, academics, civil society organizations and climate experts, who emphasized that a successful energy transition must safeguard workers' livelihoods while creating new economic opportunities.

Welcoming participants, Felix Kolbitz, Country Director of FES Pakistan, highlighted the importance of meaningful social dialogue, stronger labour protections, gender-responsive policies and greater involvement of workers' organizations in shaping climate and energy policies.

Speaking on the conference objectives, Sidra Saeed, Regional Climate Coordinator at FES Pakistan, underscored the need for evidence-based policymaking that simultaneously advances climate action, employment security, social justice and sustainable development.

During the opening session, Badar Alam, Chief Executive Officer of the Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED), presented the concept of a "Just Transition" within Pakistan's socio-economic context.

He stressed that climate and energy policies should promote decent job creation while protecting vulnerable workers and communities from the adverse impacts of economic transformation.

The second session featured presentations of three policy research papers examining adaptive social protection for women working in the informal sector, the role of trade unions in advancing a just energy transition and the impact of power sector reforms on workers and consumers.

Participants noted that strengthening social protection mechanisms, expanding skills development initiatives, enhancing collective bargaining and incorporating labour perspectives into national energy planning are essential for ensuring an equitable transition.

The conference concluded with a high-level dialogue involving representatives from Pakistan's labour movement, including trade unions from the power sector, industrial workers, home-based women workers and labour federations.

The participants called for stronger labour legislation, a review of privatization policies affecting public sector entities, broader social security coverage, improved workplace safety, greater investment in green employment opportunities and institutionalized dialogue among the government, employers and workers.

The conference concluded with a collective call for the government, employers and development partners to formulate a comprehensive national framework for a just energy transition that balances environmental sustainability with workers' rights, decent employment and inclusive economic growth.

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