COP26 Transport Day: ETF calls for just transition and socially sustainable transport

The ETF calls on the European Commission and world leaders at COP 26 to commit and strengthen just transition for transport workers and mandatory due diligence in the supply chain.

Transport and the millions of transport workers making it all possible will play a key role in achieving the common goals of the Paris Agreement and COP26 ambitions. With today marking Transport Day at COP26 and the European Commission dedicating 12 Nov 2021 to Sustainable Transport, the ETF reiterates its call for just transition and socially sustainable transport.

For the ETF, a just transition for workers is a must and should be seen as a process that will achieve an environmentally and socially sustainable transport sector that ensures decent work for all transport workers.

Although at COP26, the European Commission praises its “Fit for 55 Package” as a good practice example, in reality, we see that the EC’s 12 legislative initiatives for this package fall short when it comes to guaranteeing a just transition for workers.

This is why the ETF strongly asks for the just transition process to go hand in hand with the green transition and guarantee fair, healthy, sustainable working conditions and mandatory due diligence for supply chains across all transport sectors.

To ensure such a process, legislative and policy measures deriving from the EU Green Deal, its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the transport elements of  the “Fit for 55 Package” and the upcoming “Package on efficient and green mobility” must base themselves on:

• Transport social legislation that guarantees fair working conditions and pay and eliminates social dumping; the principle of the same pay for the same work at the same place has to be guaranteed and enforced for all transport workers in all transport modes.
• Appropriate just transition measures for the different transport sectors: mapping of the sectoral and regional employment effects, policy support and exchanges of best practices, negotiating transition plans a strengthening social dialogue at sectoral, local and company level; adequate resources and binding conditionality on access to funding and finally a legal framework for just transition at European level.
• Investment in training, up- and reskilling, occupational health and safe within the green transformation e.g. the use of alternative fuel and new technologies.
• Promoting, even enforcing social dialogue and collective bargaining at all levels is the best guarantee to make the green transition just.

The ETF is actively following developments to make sure the green transition does not leave transport workers behind.