Investment and reform of the energy sector is needed to secure a just transition for offshore workers, a report from trade unions and environmental campaigners says.
It sets out a number of demands from oil and gas workers around how to ensure they can transition to low-carbon jobs, including investment in ports and manufacturing and an offshore training passport for those who want to move to the renewables sector.
They also demand equal pay for migrant workers in the offshore sector and a higher minimum wage for all.
Authors spoke to offshore workers at workshops held in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Newcastle, as well as carrying out a survey of 1,000 staff in the sector.
Some said that foreign workers are paid far less than their UK-based colleagues working on renewables installations or ships.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said: “Our current energy system is destroying our climate, is unaffordable to millions and is failing the people who work in it.
“Climate science is crystal clear that we have to rapidly phase out fossil fuels if we want a liveable future.
“Failure from politicians to properly plan and support the transition to renewables is leaving workers totally adrift on the whims of oil and gas companies, and the planet to burn.
“The Scottish Government must pick up these demands and run with them as part of their just transition plan for the energy sector.”
The RMT’s regional organiser Jake Molloy said: “The workforce must be fully engaged, involved, and empowered in the process if we are to achieve a real just transition.
“Politicians must wake up to the fact that we need a new model.
“The current lack of a real transition plan from politicians and industry is failing the existing workforce, fuelling discontent and disillusionment which is evident with the growing number of disputes and industrial action.
“These demands are the start of an energy plan that will deliver affordable and secure energy, through secure employment across the energy sector.
“We need an industry that protects domiciled and migrant workers, who must be paid as UK workers and not exploited for greater profit.
“We need a manufacturing base to support new developments and decommissioning.”
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