A seminar on the topic “The challenge of the socio-ecological restructuring of the energy industry for the preservation of jobs” was held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from 20 to 22 March 2025. It was organised by NBH (Nell-Breuning-Haus) and EZA and funded by the European Union.
Approx. 30 participants from Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Germany heard views from trade unions on the Green Deal, ideas, concepts, viewpoints, status quo information and examples of transformation.
The most important aspects of the seminar
- The concept of the European Green Deal has been gaining momentum for some time. The European Commission is talking about a recalibration of the project. There is a fair amount of disillusionment with the Green Deal. Particularly in the coal mining areas of Bulgaria. This affects approx. 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
- The current US administration is seeking to resume use of fossil fuels and has withdrawn from the climate agreement. This is urging some trade union representatives from Bulgaria to join in this push for coal-fired power generation or at least to extend the operating hours. The German example of a comprehensive acceptance of decarbonisation towards renewable energy sources is viewed with great scepticism. The fear of further political and social destabilisation in Bulgaria is too great.
- Meanwhile, other trade union representatives from the Balkan states are clearly committed to the transformation.
- An awareness of this socio-ecological transformation and decarbonisation is essentially minimal among the populations of Southeastern and Eastern Europe.
- The dialogue between the social partners and politicians is progressing very slowly.
- At the same time, business representatives from the Maritza Iztok coal and power plant region are presenting plans to phase out production using fossil fuels and see great future potential for the economy, society and jobs in the Green Deal.
- Economic imbalances in EU countries are still obstructing and slowing down ecological change with a social and human face.
This seminar is particularly important today
Time is running out. Multiple crises such as new wars, environmental and climate disasters, deglobalisation and geopolitical upheaval are causing social and societal tensions. It is still apparent that different rates of transformation exist within the framework of the European Green Deal. In Eastern Europe, the transition is moving more slowly. Against this backdrop, jobs, companies, social partners and the political structure are under considerable pressure. The trade unions in the Baltic countries are working hard to raise people’s awareness of environmental protection, climate change and the Green Deal. However, this is not happening in reality. Nor is there any consensus between sections of the unions and the political sphere.
In this fourth and final seminar on the topic, Veselin Mitov (PODGREPA, Bulgaria (Confederation of Labour)) emphasised the urgency of the socio-ecological transformation and, despite the problems, essentially the opportunities for the future that lie in this change towards an environmentally friendly way of life and working environment.
Ivan Stoyanov (Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv) described Plovdiv as one of the major economic centres in Bulgaria. Numerous industries, crafts, services and trade have established themselves here. The energy is supplied by the nearby Maritza Iztok coalfield. Plovdiv is therefore being directly affected by the energy transition. Burning coal in households in Plovdiv is being replaced wherever possible. This enabled Plovdiv to counter EU criminal proceedings regarding air pollution. But there is some resistance. The region is generally not ready for ecological living and working.
Nurdzhan Karadzhova(Deputy Regional Governor of Plovdiv) sees the Green Deal as a new strategy for increased growth in Europe, but which must also be adapted to the respective regions. This is the only way the various regions can survive structural change and retain jobs, because all have the right to a job and good social conditions.
Rainer Rißmayer (NBH (Nell-Breuning-Haus)) reminded attendees of the long history of coal in the Aachen region, which ended 20 years ago. A first structural change has therefore been completed. However, the region is in the process of transformation away from lignite and the still active power plants towards green forms of energy such as wind, photovoltaic systems, hydrogen and the renaturation of landscapes. This structural change is not easy, as there is also opposition in this region, but social consensus also exists between citizens, politicians and businesses for the Green Deal.
Atanas Krastev (PODKREPA) stated that the second largest power plant had to close as Bulgaria had signed the Green Deal. 400 people were made redundant. The argument put forward by the European Commission that the Green Deal will provide a better, healthier life for children's future is not entirely convincing. People in Bulgaria have a very negative view of this radical measure to close the plant. The general approach is of course correct, but the measures are causing harm and distress to people. Sun, wind and hydrogen can replace coal and nuclear power – but that is still in the far future. We are destroying resources and building solar panels on fertile farmland. This is increasing electricity prices for everyone. It is unprofitable. If the transformation in Bulgaria continues at this pace, it will lead to further crises in the regions.
Themes of the seminar
Nicole Kolster (Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier GmbH (Rhineland Region Future Agency GmbH)) explained that the transformation is not only taking place in the Rhenish mining area, but also in the Helmstatt, Central German and Lusatian mining areas. The Rhenish mining area consists of 7 local authorities and the city of Mönchengladbach. 2.5 million people live in this region. The Zukunftsagentur coordinates and bundles the funding and ideas. For example, the voluntary ‘Gigawatt Pact’ of municipalities and districts has its own funding programme to expand alternative energies from 5 GW by 2028.
Miladin Sekulić (UFTUM (Union of Free Trade Unions), Montenegro)
Montenegro, is a small country with limited finances, and has a transformation plan which does not involve the trade unions. Energy is generated by one coal mining company and a single power plant. Technical upgrades are currently being carried out to reduce coal consumption and costs. Meanwhile, retraining measures are being implemented to prepare for new professional trades and great efforts are being made to manage a transformation. And the plant can only be closed if alternative forms of energy are available first and new jobs are created as a result.
Dipl. Ing. Aleksandar Zagorov (PODKREPA) and Dimitar Chalakov (PODKREPA)
Fossil fuels can only be phased out if new energy sources are available. Bulgaria requires better laws and more finance to manage the transformation. However, the European Green Deal does not correspond to Bulgaria’s national needs. Approx. 12,000 MW of solar energy has been partially produced. But this must serve people. Electricity prices must then fall. Maritsa Itztok II was closed because emissions and electricity prices were too high. The job losses were high. That is not a transition. People see the Green Deal as a threat rather than an opportunity.
Trade union and management representatives (Maritsa Iztok Mining Complex Headquarters) presented their roadmap to the Green Deal. They demonstrated the company's move away from energy supplies from fossil fuels by 2038. A major retraining and education programme for new jobs guarantees the company's continued operation with solar energy, wind and hydrogen power.
Projections show the increase in alternative energy production for the next decades and prove to be profitable. The company is investing approx. €200 million in this transformation. The mining areas that have been exhausted are already being cleared of environmental damage and contamination. The renaturation will be carried out simultaneously and completed by 2029. Only environmentally friendly forms of energy will guarantee the social, ecological and economic status of people.
Alin Munteanu (CNS (National Trade Union Confederation) Cartel Alfa) wants to change Romania's national transformation plan, which envisages the closure of coal mining by the end of 2025. The phasing out has now been postponed to 2030, and this is under negotiation with the EU. The gas plants that have been planned will be able to take over electricity generation from 2030 and beyond.
Vladimir Topalov (PODKREPA) asked why opinions on the Green Deal were so divided in Bulgaria. This is a political issue because the Green Party is not sufficiently competent to serve as an advocate for the transformation process. In general, the political classes in Bulgaria are responsible for the lack of implementation of the Green Deal. The electricity-generating companies would have to be nationalised to accelerate the transformation process.
Slobodan Antovski (UNASM (Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia)) from North Macedonia favours the implementation of the Green Deal. 3 small mines and power plants could be closed. North Macedonia is already transitioning to alternative energy sources, but unfortunately, we are still not part of the European Union. The European Union has given us no clear guidelines and plans for the Green Deal; this would accelerate membership. However, Ukraine should soon join the EU. People are becoming increasingly Eurosceptic.
Findings / consequences
- The energy issue is at the heart of Europe’s future.
- The energy issue depends on regional aspects and living environments.
- The German transformation model is only transferable to a limited extent – as the social consensus is unanimous.
- Both social security and stability always come under the umbrella of climate change.
- The opinions and actions of the Eastern European trade unions are split; some reject the Green Deal under the current conditions and demand fairer treatment of the financially weaker countries, and therefore their social dialogue, including with politicians, is being conducted only to a limited extent.
- Another section of the union body is willing to engage in dialogue, reconciliation and social progress within the framework of decarbonisation and sees the European Green Deal as a positive move for a good future for humanity.
- However, the lignite-mining and electricity-generating companies have a positive view of the end of fossil energy production and are driving the transformation both with substantial financial resources of their own and EU funding. In so doing, they are also taking the security of the workforce (example: Maritsa Iztok Mining Complex, Bulgaria) into account.
- Current US policy is wrong to encourage a return to fossil energy production.
- Trade unions must also be willing to hold talks with representatives of the European Union.
- The status quo is characterised by the start of deglobalisation. This also has an impact on the Green Deal, social cohesion and the jobs of the future.
- It is not enough to merely abandon old technologies. Transformation must focus on jobs.
- Transformation must not be left to the private sector alone. Governmental or semi-governmental organisations are vital in this respect and must listen to people during the development processes.
- Trade unions in the Balkan states must make more efforts to convince people that the Green Deal is an opportunity to retain jobs and improve social status. The development can no longer be stopped owing to climate change and its impacts.
- And they must also turn controversial opinions into positive action for change.
- We need more social dialogue, despite, or perhaps directly due to the different trade union positions on the transformation process of the European Green Deal. The ambitious transformation process can only succeed if people are convinced of its importance and are not fearful of the future.