Transitioning away from coal: Perspectives of Indian coal unions on achieving a just transition

Abstract

The existing discourse on Just Transition highlights the critical role of trade unions in ensuring justice for workers during the decarbonisation process. While much of the literature focuses on unions in the Global North, studies examining the role of trade unions in the Global South remain limited. In India, where the Just Transition discourse is still emerging, the perspectives and roles of trade unions remain underexplored. Our study addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the perspectives of trade unions in the Indian coal industry on facilitating a Just Transition. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with national, state, and grassroots leaders from the five central coal industry trade unions and organised a workshop with senior union leadership. Our findings reveal diverse perspectives shaped by the unions' varying political ideologies and affiliations. However, most union leaders strongly emphasised the urgency of institutionalising social dialogue among stakeholders, with clearly defined roles to ensure an effective transition. Unions also stressed the importance of diversifying local economies to support workers and communities during the transition process. Our study underscores the indispensable role of trade unions in shaping Just Transition policies for the Indian coal industry, ensuring justice and sustainable livelihoods for workers and communities.