Asia-Pacific Regional Case for Implementing the Global Accelerator by a Just Transition in Paper and Construction Industries

Background

The Asia-Pacific region faces significant challenges from climate change, being the world's most disaster-prone area. Between 2000 and 2019, the region accounted for eight of the top ten countries by disaster occurrence and seven of the ten most disaster-affected populations globally. These climate-related impacts pose severe threats to livelihoods, employment, business, and environments.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of climate change and sustainable development, the United Nations has adopted and implemented SDG13 (climate action) out of the 17 sustainable development goals. The ILO has further contributed to climate action, by adopting the "Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all" in 2015. These guidelines aim to support ILO member states' efforts to facilitate just transition from high-carbon industries to low-carbon production systems while promoting green job creation.

This project focuses on applying the recommendations of the ILO Just Transition Guidelines to the pulp and paper sector in Vietnam and the construction industry in Cambodia. 

Vietnam’s pulp and paper industry is economically significant, but it faces challenges with low wages, poor working conditions, environmental impacts from deforestation and pollution. So it needs for a just transition from carbon-intensive practices to more efficient, automated processes. Such a transition may cause workforce redundancies. 

Cambodia's construction industry is a major contributor to the national economy relating to commercial, residential, transport, logistics, and energy sectors. It is, however, vulnerable to climate change such as heat waves, significantly affecting labor productivity and occupational safety and health (OSH). For instance, the implementation of the ILO Code of Practice on OSH in Construction would be a useful tool for facilitating a just transition from informality to formality. 

Key Focus Areas

The project aims to address labour issues, environmental impacts, and corporate transformation through enhanced social dialogue and tripartism in the target industries.

1. It adopts social dialogue and tripartism as a key strategy that facilitates a just transition towards environmentally sustainable industries.
    
2. It also adopts a sector-specific approach and develop tailored strategies, which can address the unique challenges emerging in the industries and opportunities from climate action for sustainable environment and economies. 
    
3. By 2026, the project will produce best practices that apply the ILO Just Transition guidelines in the target industries in Cambodia and Vietnam.
    
4. The success cases will eventually supplement the implementation of the national roadmap of the “UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions” that Cambodia and Vietnam are pathfinder countries. 
    
5. This project will indirectly put up the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in these countries. 

Expected Impact

1. Supported the transition of the construction industry in Cambodia and the pulp and paper industry in Vietnam towards greener industries.
    
2. Supported the transition towards green jobs through safer working conditions, decent wages, and enhanced occupation protection.
    
3. Increased social dialogue and tripartism for corporate competitiveness, productive employment, and sustainable environment.
    
4. Increased capacity of social partners, communities and experts to work together to protect forests, reduce pollutions, and adopt green technologies. 
    
5. Contributed to the achievement of SDG13 (Climate Action) and the Global Accelerator by taking sector-specific approaches.

Partners

Cambodia: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT), Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC), Cambodian Confederation of Trade Unions (CCTU), Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), Cambodian Confederation Union (CCU), National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia (NACC), Cambodia Constructors Association (CCA)

Vietnam: Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association (VPPA), Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL)

Korea Labor and Employment Services (KLES), Korea Workers' Compensation &Welfare Service (K-COMWEL), and Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA). 

For further information, please contact:

Hochul Shin

Chief Technical Adviser - ILO/Korea Partnership Programme

E: shin@ilo.org