The main labour union at South Africa’s state power utility called for the suspension of an $8.5 billion climate finance pact with some of the world’s richest nations as well as plans to break up Eskom into separate units.
“There is a clear lack of consultation with organized labor regarding the unbundling of Eskom, the drafting of the JETIP, as well as decommission of Komati power station,” the NUM said. The JETIP is an acronym for the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, the completion of which is a necessary step for funding to flow from the rich nations. South Africa has repeatedly delayed its completion.
The JETP, first announced at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021, is seen as a prototype for similar agreements being pursued with Indonesia, Vietnam and Senegal.