The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA) have made a joint call for stronger social protection frameworks to address the escalating challenges posed by climate change in West Africa. This urgent appeal was made during a two-day workshop on Climate Change, Just Transition, and Social Protection held in Abuja, where stakeholders gathered to address the growing vulnerabilities in the region, particularly for workers and marginalized communities.
Comrade Sophie D. Kourouma, the acting President of OTUWA, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration to build resilient strategies for social protection and environmental sustainability. The adverse effects of climate change are undeniable, she said, urging stakeholders to unite in educating and equipping communities with adaptation measures. Kourouma stressed the need for societies to establish safety nets for those most vulnerable to climate disasters, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.
Liliane Napoe, the International Adviser and Head of the West African Sub-regional Office of the Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA), further highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on the region’s workforce. She pointed out that extreme weather conditions, especially rising temperatures, are already reducing working hours across West Africa, with the agricultural sector being the hardest hit.
In Africa, approximately 4.6% of working hours are lost due to climate-related factors, Napoe explained, adding that low-income populations are particularly vulnerable to these challenges. The situation is expected to worsen, with predictions indicating that over 100 million people could face extreme poverty by 2030 due to climate-induced job losses and the phasing out of industries reliant on high-carbon emissions. This stark reality underscores the pressing need for comprehensive social protection systems that can mitigate the socio-economic impacts of climate change.
Napoe stressed that social protection is not just a necessity but an indispensable tool for preventing poverty and ensuring social inclusion. With the rise of climate disasters such as floods, droughts, and unpredictable environmental changes, effective social protection systems can help individuals cope with these crises and safeguard their livelihoods. These systems must be expanded and tailored to address the specific challenges faced by the region, especially as the effects of climate change intensify.
John Odah, the Executive Secretary of OTUWA, echoed these sentiments, calling for increased advocacy from trade unions to push for phased job transitions in response to the climate crisis. He argued that both governments and the private sector must work together to expand social protection programs to ensure that they cover not only formal workers but also those in the informal sector, who make up a significant portion of the workforce in West Africa.
As we transition to a low-carbon economy, job losses are inevitable in certain sectors, said Odah. However, we must create alternative employment opportunities to prevent further socio-economic disruptions. He emphasized that the shift to a greener economy must be accompanied by efforts to protect workers and ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind.
One of the key challenges highlighted during the workshop was the existing gap in social protection for informal workers. In countries like Nigeria, current social security provisions largely cater to formal workers, leaving millions in the informal sector unprotected, especially in times of climate disasters. Odah stressed the importance of government intervention when such disasters strike, citing recent floods as an example of where expanded social protection could have made a significant difference.
We must scale up and improve social protection provisions to reflect the realities of today’s workforce, Odah added. This includes developing policies that support a just transition for workers whose jobs are impacted by the shift to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against climate change.
The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on the need for immediate and sustained action to enhance social protection frameworks across West Africa. As the region continues to face the dual threats of climate change and economic instability, it is clear that robust social protection systems are essential for building resilience, promoting social cohesion, and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of people.
Stakeholders urged governments, development partners, and the private sector to prioritize the expansion of social protection programs, especially for those in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture and the informal economy. By addressing the root causes of climate-induced poverty and job losses, West Africa can make significant strides toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all its citizens.
As the effects of climate change intensify, the time to act is now. Enhanced social protection is not only a response to the immediate challenges but also a long-term investment in the well-being and resilience of West African societies.