From May 10 to 12, 2023, the International Seminar “From Linear to Circular: The role of workers' organisations in the circular economy” took place, organized by FIDESTRA (Association for Training, Research and Social Development of Workers), with the support from EZA and financed by the European Union. With 79 representatives of workers' organisations, from 15 European Union countries and one Brazilian participant, online and invited to the organisation.
The main objective was to identify the potential inherent to the circular economy, as well as the challenges that workers' organisations face so that the immediate conversion of workers, which will be mandatory, in this transition from linear to circular, does not leave any worker along the way. .
The circular economy, to be truly applied and widespread, must be transversal to several sectors of activity and this will imply a reconversion of society, but in particular of workers, where the intervention of unions and workers' movements will be decisive.
Throughout the seminar the issue was debated and we highlighted:
- The implementation of effective circularity in agriculture is fundamental: It is necessary to raise awareness among workers and employers about the importance of reducing the use of pesticides in agricultural practice, a role that will have to be played by workers' organisations, and for this it is necessary to strengthen trade unions in this sector of activity, where unionisation levels are low, a result, particularly in southern European countries, of the type of workforce (migrants and sometimes undocumented).
We also need a strong reduction in food waste, an action that must involve the citizen, the consumer, that is, all of us. The Mediterranean Diet model (Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) is a good example in Southern Europe, in which workers' organisations have to become more involved.
- The energy transition is another pillar of this transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. A very important pillar, due to the economic consequences that arise from energy dependence, (the current European context has left this vulnerability well exposed, as participants from Romania mentioned), but also because in this sector there are major transformations, namely in the type of labour constructions. The energy transition has caused employment problems.
It is a sector with a loss of labour, but which will need a lot of other, qualified labour. In this professional reconversion, unions are fundamental in demanding that professional training be provided to these workers who have lost or are about to lose their jobs.
- From the presentation of the key ideas of the “Working Group “Fair Energy Transition, social dialogue and decent work”, we highlight the importance of social consultation and the concern with providing workers with new skills in order to respond to new work challenges
- Tourism, aviation, territories with strong seasonal pressure.
The tourism sector is vital to several European economies. It is an accelerator of economic growth, the most powerful, post-pandemic, a strong employer, although we must, in workers' organisations, be aware of labour exploitation in this sector, as well as job insecurity, resulting from seasonality. With these warnings in mind, the former Secretary of State for Tourism in Portugal demonstrated how it is possible, therefore investing in environmentally responsible hotel units (the seminar venue was a demonstration of this new generation of hotel units), focused on circular economy practices. in tourist accommodation and restaurants, sustainable construction in tourist developments, carbon neutrality and the reduction of single-use plastic in them. Not only to have sustainable tourism, but it is necessary to invest in this new form of tourism, involving all partners.
- In the aviation sector, which so far presents a negative indicator in environmental issues. However, it is important not to forget that this sector is a generator of employment, something that became very visible at the time of the pandemic, making it necessary for aviation companies to be environmentally aware and to restructure the aeronautical industry itself, as well as creating sustainable airports. The Director of Faro Airport, also a speaker at this conference, presented the numbers and actions implemented, of which we highlight some examples: 28% of pollution comes from air conditioning and not exactly from planes. In a circular economy approach, condensed water from the air conditioning is collected at the airport for reuse. 30% of energy consumption is generated through photovoltaic panels installed in the airport infrastructure area. An important step remains to be taken in the conversion of aircraft and the adoption of alternative means of transport, but it is important not to forget that in the case of trains, there is a great European disparity.
- The transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, as always happens with any change, gives rise to new forms of work, to situations of social and labour inequalities. Through the voices of large trade union organisations from several European countries, participants in the round table, the measures that are being implemented and the role of workers' organisations in this goal of achieving a circular economy were made known, without leaving a single worker along the way.
Some actions, on the ground, were shared, as is the case of Belgian companies that established an agreement between unions and workers to introduce the use of bicycles to travel to and from work or the Belgian government's legislation that relates to the obligation of all citizens so that their homes will be certified by 2050. This issue of housing certification, driven by a Belgian Union, which proves the commitment of workers' organisations to environmental issues.
Environmental issues, the transition to a circular economy, must have a macro, global action on a World Scale. It is important not to forget that in Africa children are producing components for electric cars, in true labour exploitation, and that we workers' organisations must denounce. This is an action strongly developed by French unions.
We need a more sustainable model. Social consultation is the key to achieving this goal and unions are fundamental and essential. Because it is important not to forget that if workers' organisations are committed to environmental issues, it will be possible to involve workers, put pressure on governments and employers. It is this new vision of social agreement that should be promoted by unions.
But we will have to have a humanist dimension, which will center the circular economy, on people, as it is important to focus on the fact that in this transition from linear to circular, no worker can be left in the way.
- Sharing ideas in a small group always allows you to delve deeper into topics, identify situations in more detail, enhancing approaches. It was in this logic that the international seminar dedicated a working panel, designed by the young workers of FIDESTRA junior, Storm of Ideas: “Circulate the Economy!” with the aim of networking, designing strategies for the implementation of the circular economy, particularly in terms of employment.
- Mayri Tiido - Circular economy specialist, responsible for the Erasmus+ project - “Circular Innovation Games” in Estonia, which demonstrated how vital and urgent it is to instill in young people, who will be the workers of the future, an awareness of sustainability and equip them with new skills in this area, it was considered pertinent to listen and involve public entities, at local and regional level, as well as political decision-makers, including MEPs, to hold them co-responsible.
- Cármen Carvalheira, Vice-President of the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission, CCDR – Alentejo shared with participants the initiatives developed at regional level, at the conference “Accelerating the transition to a Circular Economy: Territory initiatives
The Circular Economy represents, for Portugal, the great challenge of achieving sustainability, resilience, inclusion, competitiveness, territorial cohesion and the demographic evolution of our society.
Smart cities, specifically: smart and sustainable mobility, design of smart cities, financing of “smart” projects, are on the territorial agenda of the CCDR Alentejo, which has, among others, in its competences/mission to promote European Territorial Cooperation, execute the policies of spatial planning and cities, manage PT2030 regional programmes already approved by the European Commission services.
The vice-president warned of the climate changes predicted for the future of Alentejo, which include more frequent extreme heat phenomena, a progressive increase in temperatures and reduced periods of precipitation. To face these challenges, it is essential that the population and agents in the territory are prepared to use wastewater and rainwater appropriately, in addition to adopting agricultural practices that are less dependent on water.
In a low-density territory, preserving the environment, having a circular economy practice, will retain population, a vital population for the development of the territory, the economy, consequently generating jobs.
- At a local level – the importance and actions developed on the CircularNet platform were made known by the municipality of Tavira, which aims to encourage measures to implement a circular economy in cities, using its dynamics to change consumption patterns and encourage reincorporation of waste as raw materials, reducing the need for natural resources and environmental impacts. It is intended to act, not only in the sectors that are currently critical in the municipalities of the network, but in existing capacities that enable the creation of new opportunities. Reflect on business models, consumer behavior and new solutions that make it possible to transform waste into resources.
- Transforming waste into resources, At the invitation of FIDESTRA, and online, the President of the Association of fisherwomen of Jequiá da Praia – Brazil – Eliane Farias, shared the initiative that is being developed by a group of rural/fisherwomen, who joined together in a cooperative for the Depollution of Lagoa de Jequiá, reusing the Casco de Siri which is used for the Production of Organic Fertilizer, which helps these women to create their own jobs, increasing their source of family income, in a territorial area, in a poor community in Brazil.
In the panel “Strategies for the implementation of a circular economy focused on employment”. The former Minister of Labour, in Portugal, highlighted that – in this digital and green transition, a global loss of 6 million jobs is estimated, but which will imply the creation 18 million new jobs.
And it is this number that trade union organisations must focus on.
The involvement of the European Parliament was clear in the interventions of Dennis Radkte, MEP from Germany, as well as Nuno Melo, also MEP, Portugal, who in summary emphasised the need for interaction between political will and social will, which will really imply the return of the circular economy
“From Linear to Circular: The role of workers’ organisations in the circular economy” was clearly highlighted in the summary phrase of the President of EZA, Luc Van den Brande “There is a need to requalify/train older workers, and it is therefore important and vital to involve the unions in this transition, as everything has to go through A CHANGE!