Public sector workers seek energy transition, impact inclusion in collective bargaining

IT was three days of intensive training as trade union representatives from the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) gathered in Jos, Plateau State to boost their advocacy and collective bargaining skills on just energy transition.

Organised by Public Services International (PSI), the workshop aimed to equip union leaders with the knowledge and tools to negotiate climate-resilient policies that safeguard workers’ rights and livelihoods in the face of growing environmental challenges.

Participants were drawn from a broad range of public sector unions, including those representing electricity, water, and health workers, sectors most impacted by climate change.

With increasing climate vulnerabilities and mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, Nigeria, as a developing country faces the dual challenge of meeting energy demands while shifting towards cleaner, sustainable alternatives.

Speaking to journalists at the opening session of the workshop, Comrade Baba Aye, PSIs Policy Officer for Health and Social Services, stressed that while energy transition is essential to addressing the climate crisis, the process must be just and safeguard workers rights.

He explained that Nigeria’s continued dependence on fossil fuels is unsustainable, but emphasised that the shift to renewable energy must however  be rooted in social justice.

According to him, the current model prioritizes profit over people and the planet, pushing society toward ecological collapse unless bold steps are taken.

He emphasised that this transition should not lead to job losses but rather serve as an opportunity to equip workers, especially in the energy sector with new skills in areas like solar and hydroelectric power.

Comrade Aye also underlined the importance of democratic participation and public ownership in managing this shift, warning that private-sector-led models often exclude workers from decision-making and worsen inequality.

Speaking further , he described climate change as a defining issue for our generation, warning of its devastating implications for humanity.

He said the climate crisis must be treated with the seriousness it deserves, including in the design of workplace policies.

Since 2012, Nigeria has witnessed yearly climate disasters floods, extreme heat, and unpredictable weather. These are not distant threats; they are already displacing and killing working-class people, he said.

He added:  We cannot keep kicking the can down the road. A just energy transition that prioritises people over profit is non-negotiable.

Comrade Aye stressed the need for unions to connect climate issues to workers’ daily realities such as housing, electricity, and job security, and to challenge the dominant model that puts profits above people.

Trade unions must help workers understand that climate change is not just an environmental issue. It is a bread-and-butter issue. The poorest people bear the greatest burden of climate impacts, and workers must be empowered to demand action, he said.

He also called on the Nigerian government to strengthen social protection systems, invest in renewable energy, and create sustainable green jobs through inclusive policy engagement with unions.

Aye emphasised the urgency of integrating climate issues into bargaining agreements, saying that Workers are not just victims of the climate crisis; they are critical agents in the transition to a green economy. We must ensure their voices are heard and their rights protected as governments design climate adaptation policies, he said.

Participants at the training decried the current lack of engagement between government agencies and trade unions on environmental issues, noting that many policy decisions are made without input from workers who are directly affected.

They called for climate change to be treated as a workplace issue impacting health, safety, job security, and working conditions.

Also speaking at the training, Moradeke Abiodun-Badru, the Project Coordinator for PSI English-Speaking West Africa, emphasized the interconnectedness of public services and the climate crisis, particularly in the health and energy sectors.

Hospitals cannot function without electricity, and yet many primary health centres in rural areas have no access to power. Transitioning to renewable energy is essentialnot just for the environment but for public health and service delivery, she said.

Comrade Badru further noted that the healthcare sector contributes significantly to emissions globally, adding, We must ensure public sector workers are equipped and trained to manage new technologies like solar power, especially in off-grid communities.

She also criticised the outsourcing of energy-related jobs in the public health sector, describing it as unsustainable.

Outsourced workers operate under precarious conditions and are often excluded from union protections. We are calling for the full employment and upskilling of public sector workers in energy and health to ensure a just transition, he said.

It is not just about installing solar panels; its about sustainability, accountability, and dignity at work.

The training featured practical sessions on advocacy strategy, social dialogue, and climate policy analysis, with participants resolving to prioritize just transition clauses in future collective bargaining efforts.

PSI reiterated its longstanding opposition to the privatization of essential public services, maintaining that electricity, water, education, and healthcare must remain public goods, accessible to all.

People over profit is not just a sloganits a principle that must guide Nigeria’s response to the climate emergency, Badru said.

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