Building A Just Future: Policy Solutions for South Africa’s Coal Workforce Transition - Insights from Global Experience

This working paper forms part of JUST SA’s national research programme and contributes to the development of a Just Transition Worker Policy Package Framework for South Africa’s coal workforce. It examines policy instruments that can support coal workers affected by the energy transition, drawing on international experience and assessing their relevance to South Africa. The analysis focuses on labour supply-side transition assistance measures and, where relevant, explores the institutional and financing arrangements that have supported successful labour market and social protection policies elsewhere. Findings are informed by a desktop review of government reports, international case studies, and the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) just transition policy database, covering experiences by Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, the United Kingdom, United States of America, China, Morocco, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Key lessons include the importance of meaningful worker and community consultation, strong multi-level coordination, proactive planning, policy flexibility, integrated transition approaches, and sustainable financing mechanisms. The international evidence also highlights the need for comprehensive worker support packages tailored to workers' age, skills, and circumstances; training aligned with labour market opportunities and worker aspirations; structured support beyond once-off compensation; and transition pathways that facilitate movement into sectors beyond coal.