Demistifying employment in South Africa's Just Energy Transition: Exploring emerging decent work themes

• Published in: Development southern Africa (Sandton, South Africa) Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 649 - 665
• Main Authors: Mohlakoana, Nthabiseng, Rathupetsane, Alboricah, Malope, Boitumelo, Jacob, Merin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03.05.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Coal; Decent work; Employment; Energy industry; jobs; just energy transition; Labor movements; Renewable energy; Socioeconomic factors; Value chain; Work; Workforce; Working conditions
• ISSN: 0376-835X; 1470-3637
• DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2024.2352074

The South African energy sector is faced with competing priorities concerned with ensuring environmental sustainability, energy security, and balancing its citizens' socio-economic needs. The decarbonisation agenda has put a spotlight on the quality of jobs in the energy sector, particularly those in the coal value chain. This paper aims to bring some focus to the subject of decent work as per the International Labour Organisation's definition and highlights the emerging themes in the South African energy sector. Our research shows that, although the country is on the path to decarbonisation, a clear definition of a job and decent work is needed. We show that if the country is to depend on the Renewable Energy industry, it is imperative to ensure that this industry has the capacity to provide the necessary skills and training to its new workforce and provide fair and just working conditions that would lead to decent work.