ILO Türkiye brings together high-level representatives of social partners to discuss just transition ahead of COP31

ANKARA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Türkiye convened a high-level dialogue in Ankara to discuss how climate action can advance decent work, protect workers’ rights and support sustainable enterprises, while ensuring the meaningful participation of workers’ and employers’ organizations in shaping the transition.

As Türkiye prepares to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, the workshop explored how Türkiye can pursue its climate and environmental objectives while promoting decent work, social justice and inclusive economic development. Drawing on research findings and stakeholder consultations, participants examined opportunities and challenges associated with the green transition and identified priorities for policy action.

Opening the workshop, ILO Türkiye Director Yasser Hassan emphasized the importance of reflecting the priorities of the world of work in Türkiye’s climate action. Drawing attention to the effects of climate change on workers, enterprises and society, Hassan highlighted the importance of pursuing the green transition through policies that create decent jobs, protect workers’ rights and support sustainable enterprises.

Yasser Hassan, Director of ILO Office for Türkiye

Hassan also pointed to Türkiye’s National Just Transition Strategy, being developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, presents an important opportunity to translate these priorities into action. He stressed the importance of social dialogue and the effective participation of workers’ and employers’ organizations in this process, reaffirming the ILO’s commitment to supporting Türkiye in advancing a just transition.

Jean Barbé, Head of the Civil Society, Fundamental Rights, Judiciary and Home Affairs Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, also addressed participants at the opening, highlighting the importance of inclusive policymaking.

"A just transition can only succeed when it is shaped together. Listening to one another is not a choice; it is the foundation of good policymaking," Barbé said.

The workshop, entitled “Just Transition in Türkiye: Perspectives, Priorities and Action”, was organized under the European Union-funded project “Strengthening Social Partners and Civil Society Capacities on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work”. It brought together representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, civil society, international organizations and academia to examine the implications of the green transition for the world of work and identify priorities for policy action and cooperation.

Participants assessed the opportunities and challenges that the green transition presents for the world of work

High-level panel highlights workers’ and employers’ priorities for a just transition

A high-level panel brought together Ergün Atalay, President of TÜRK-İŞ; Mahmut Arslan, President of HAK-İŞ; Tayfun Görgün, Secretary-General of DİSK; Özgecan Zengin, Industrial Relations and Projects Coordinator at TİSK; and Babatunde Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye.

Oliver Roepke, Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), and Adam Greene, Deputy Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) joined online, contributing international perspectives to the discussion.

Panel brought together representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations in Türkiye and the ILO units responsible for workers’ and employers’ activities

Moderated by Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye, the panel, entitled "Workers’ and Employers’ Perspectives and Priorities on Just Transition: Perspectives from Türkiye and Around the World", explored the implications of the green transition for workers and enterprises, the priorities of social partners and the importance of their participation in shaping and implementing just transition policies.

TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay emphasized that workers should not bear the costs of the green transition. "The cost of the green transition must not be placed on workers. While tackling climate change, employment, wages, social security and acquired rights must be protected. A just transition is only possible through strong social dialogue, and decisions concerning workers’ futures must be taken with the participation of trade unions." Atalay said.

HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan underlined that the green and digital transitions should not be considered solely in terms of their environmental and economic impacts. He highlighted the need to address their implications for workers’ occupations, skills and job security, alongside the potential for creating new employment opportunities.

DİSK Secretary-General Tayfun Görgün stressed the importance of trade union rights and workers’ participation in decision-making. "Achieving a just transition in Türkiye is possible by removing barriers to unionization and collective bargaining and by ensuring that trade unions and workers are represented in decision-making mechanisms." Görgün said.

Representing the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), Özgecan Zengin highlighted the need to stronger financing, incentives and technical support to help enterprises adapt to the green transition, including businesses operating within supply chains.

UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi highlighted COP31 as an opportunity for Türkiye to translate just transition commitments into concrete action. "A successful green transition requires social justice, economic viability and the active participation of workers, employers and civil society. It is critically important that social dialogue continue beyond COP31. The UN system will continue to support Türkiye throughout this process." Ahonsi said.

Babatunde Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye

Research findings inform discussions on policy priorities and action

The workshop also featured the preliminary findings of the ILO research entitled “Looking at Just Transition through the Eyes of Social Partners, Civil Society and Public Institutions”, conducted under the EU-funded project.

Presented by Nuray Şahin of Ankara University’s Department of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations, the findings informed discussions on the challenges, opportunities and policy priorities associated with the green transition in Türkiye.

Nuray Şahin of Ankara University’s Department of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations presenting the findings

The first discussion session, moderated by ILO Senior Project Coordinator Emre Dönmez, focused on the opportunities and challenges arising from the green transition for the world of work in Türkiye. Participants shared sectoral and institutional perspectives, including assessments of the workers, enterprises and groups likely to be most affected by the transition.

The second session, entitled "Priorities and Actions for a Just Transition in Türkiye" and moderated by ILO Training and Research Officer Ayşe Emel Akalın, focused on identifying priority policy measures, practical actions and opportunities for cooperation among different stakeholders.

Together, the sessions provided a platform for considering how research findings and stakeholder perspectives could inform the development and implementation of just transition policies in Türkiye.

From dialogue to action

Looking ahead to COP31 in Antalya, the workshop's findings and exchanges are expected to inform continued engagement among social partners and other stakeholders, including discussions related to Türkiye’s National Just Transition Strategy. The ILO will continue to support efforts to translate dialogue into practical measures that promote decent work, protect workers and support sustainable enterprises throughout the transition.

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