Working in Oil and Gas, at What Price? The Challenges International Organizations Face in Implementing an Inclusive Just Energy Transition Away from Fossil Fuels and its Impacts on Migrant Labour
Abstract: As seen through the last IPCC report (2022), the climate crisis needs to be tackled urgently and energy is the first factor to look at. However, the global economy is dependent on Fossil Fuel industries and a majority of employment relies on it for survival. Today, 12.6 million people work in the Fossil Fuel industry. Phasing-out thus implies a loss of jobs estimated around 9.5 million, that international organizations need to consider in their policy-making especially in relation to migrant labour but the current literature does not address it. The following research question addresses these knowledge gaps: What challenges persist in driving an inclusive phase out of Fossil Fuels led by international organizations with special reference to migrant labour? The thesis uses an inclusive development lens as a solution to counter power imbalances between the Global North and South, and the focus on economic goals. It also uses the lens of what Smith calls “uneven development” to evaluate labourers situations. This concept shows that Fossil Fuel industries influence migrant labour flows: labour will come to the industry’s location which strategically and systematically under develops labourers home-countries. Semi-structured interviews with labourers in the oil and gas industry were conducted during fieldwork in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Content analysis of policy documents and reports also revealed that Saudi Arabia is not ready for a transition. Although they are implementing greener plans, their main income source will stay bound to oil and gas. In-depth analysis of data shows that Just Transition and Decent Work are mostly unknown concepts for multinational companies, and policies on handling unemployment are not yet being developed. The ILO misses data from Saudi Arabia, which questions policy-makers agencies in creating meaningful inclusive policies. Climate Change knowledge is challenges individuals’ investment to mitigate it, and migrant labour will be more impacted than non-migrant labour by the Fossil Fuels phase out. This research recommends a more thorough understanding by organizations of Middle Eastern countries. They are some of the biggest actors in the Fossil Fuel industry and if inclusive development or Just Transition policies are to be meaningful, the ILO has to demand more transparency from its Member States, to protect migrant workers.