Global mining unions gather in Sydney to tackle safety, critical minerals and just transition.

Mining and Energy Union

Australian mining unions are proud to host union delegates from every continent this weekend for IndustriALL Global Union’s World Conference for the Mining and DGOJP (Diamond, Gem, Ornament and Jewellery Processing) Industries, this Sunday 2 November in Sydney.

The World Mining Conference marks the start of the IndustriALL Global Union Congress, a major international gathering of unions representing 50 million workers worldwide.

Delegates will debate the future of mining and mineral processing in the context of climate change, shifting supply chains and rapidly growing demand for critical minerals.

MEU General Secretary Grahame Kelly and AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow will open the conference, alongside senior IndustriALL representatives and union leaders from across the globe.

Grahame Kelly said: “Australia’s mining industry is dominated by multinational companies. In Australia and around the world, we need strong unions to hold them to account.

“We’ll be sharing strategies to build union power in regions like the Pilbara, where employers are hostile to engaging with unions.

“We’ll also be offering our support to mining unions overseas - many of them from Indonesia to Pakistan to South Africa operate in tough environments, facing exploitation and serious safety risks.”

AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said: “It’s encouraging to see investment in new mining industries, but in the rush for production of rare earths and critical minerals we mustn’t sacrifice workers’ rights and safety.

“We want high standards and good jobs in our industries, not a race to the bottom. By co-operating with unions internationally, we can empower workers to stand up for safe mines and decent jobs for the future, here and overseas.” 

Key themes:

• Safety: Ratifying and enforcing ILO Convention 176 to prevent mineworker deaths and injuries.
• Critical minerals: Ensuring the new global rush for critical minerals doesn’t become a new race to the bottom.
• Multinational accountability: Unions coordinating globally to hold corporations to the same labour and ESG standards everywhere they operate.
• Just transition: Guaranteeing mineworkers and communities are supported through decarbonisation, automation and restructuring.
• Gender equality: Advancing “Women in Mining” programs and addressing discrimination, pay gaps and safety issues.

Delegates will adopt a Sector Strategic Response and Action Plan setting priorities for IndustriALL’s mining affiliates over the next four years.

Emily Holm
[email protected]
0400 382 271