On 27–28 May, an ETUC seminar on Just Transition in Central and Eastern Europe took place in Tallinn, bringing together discussions on the impact of climate policy, energy transformation, and industrial restructuring on workers and regions.
The event gathered representatives of trade unions, research institutions, and national organisations from across Europe. The Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK) was represented by Acting Chairwoman Dalia Jakutavičė, lawyer Jonas Gricius, President of the Lithuanian Service Sector Trade Union Aleksandras Posochovas, Chairwoman of the Achema Workers’ Trade Union Birutė Daškevičienė, and Head of International Affairs at the Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union Tatjana Babrauskienė.
During the first day of the seminar, participants visited Estonia’s Ida-Viru region – one of the regions most affected by the challenges of energy transformation due to its dependence on fossil fuel industries. The delegation visited the Ida-Viru Investment Agency and a vocational education centre, where participants were introduced to the region’s efforts to attract new investments, create alternative jobs, and ensure workers’ reskilling in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy.
On 28 May, discussions in Tallinn focused on reviewing the state of Just Transition in different countries, analysing preliminary national studies, and examining the impact of decarbonisation on industry, energy, and employment.
Particular attention was given to ensuring that the green transition is socially just – preserving quality jobs, strengthening social dialogue, and ensuring workers’ involvement in decision-making processes.
This issue is especially relevant for Lithuania in the context of ongoing energy and industrial transformation, growing investments in the green economy, and the need to ensure that the burden of transition does not fall solely on workers.
Trade unions emphasised that Just Transition cannot be limited only to climate targets or technological solutions – it is equally important to guarantee workers’ social protections, opportunities for reskilling, and the active involvement of workers’ representatives in planning future changes.