Formulating Strategy, Ensuring a Just Energy Transition

Energy sector unions, SP PLN Persero, PP-IP and SPNP together with Public Services International (PSI), on March 19, 2025, held a follow-up Network Discussion Meeting to share common understanding on just energy transition – trade union’s position which was previously held on February 28, 2025.

The difference is, in this discussion, more labor unions attended. If previously attended by labor unions in the electricity sector, such as SP PT PLN Persero (SP PLN) and Persatuan Pegawai PT Indonesia Power (PP IP), as well as representatives from KSPI, CEMWU, FSPKEP, FSPMI, and several NGOs such as TURC, ICEL, and Solidarity Center, in this meeting attended by SERBUK and FPE KSBSI.

In her opening message, Indah Budiarti from PSI said that this discussion was to align views related to just transition, including formulating joint steps to ensure just energy transition in the electricity sector. Not only talking about the employment aspect, furthermore, the energy transition must not lead to privatization and be carried out through public pathway.

Indah emphasized that this discussion aims to align views on just transition, ensuring that the energy transition takes place fairly and inclusively. More than just the employment aspect, she highlighted that the energy transition should not be a loophole for privatization that has the potential to harm society. Therefore, the approach taken must use public pathway. Therefore, joint steps need to be formulated to protect workers’ rights, ensure affordable energy access for all, and prevent exploitation of resources by corporate interests alone.

PPIP Secretary General Andi Wijaya expressed a similar view, highlighting that the New and Renewable Energy (EBT) target of 23% by 2025 seems difficult to achieve. Until now, the achievement is still around 14%, which shows that there are major challenges in the energy transition in Indonesia. According to him, discussions on the energy transition cannot only be limited to the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, but must also include concrete strategies to ensure effective and fair implementation.

Andi reminded that the energy transition must consider social, economic, and employment aspects so as not to create new gaps. Furthermore, he emphasized that the energy transition must be carried out with an approach that is not only oriented towards profit, but also pays attention to the welfare of the people, in this case ensuring cheap electricity prices. Something that would not be possible if electricity was controlled by the private sector.

Syaharani from Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), who is part of the JETP working group, explained the dynamics of JETP. According to him, JETP has the Just Transition Framework CIPP, which consists of several main elements. Such as the Just Transition Standards which include Cultural heritage, Displacement & resettlement, Local & customary communities, Labor & working conditions, Biodiversity & sustainable NRM, Climate change & disaster risk, Community health, security, & safety, Pollution prevention & resource efficiency, and Economic diversification & transformation.

Meanwhile, the Just Transition Pillars include “Leave no one behind” – Emphasizing social justice, protection for workers and affected communities and “Sustainability & resilience” – Ensuring that the energy and economic transition is carried out sustainably and is resilient to future challenges. Where all of this is done with the Just Transition foundation which includes human rights, gender equality & empowerment, and accountability.

But unfortunately, this is not a binding document. With many provisions that must be followed, this is considered to hinder the implementation of the transition. So there is an impression, the JETP document is not a recommendation, so it is not binding.

Talking about the workshop held by KSPI and Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), Kahar S. Cahyono highlighted the gap between workers’ rights and current labor regulations. According to him, existing regulations are not enough to guarantee justice for workers, especially in the context of economic change and energy transition. Without progressive legal reform, workers will continue to face challenges in obtaining their rights, including job protection, decent wages, and social security.

The discussion became more interesting when participants agreed that the “justice” aspect of just transition does not only concern workers’ rights, but also concerns how the energy transition is carried out and who controls energy sources in the future. One of the main concerns is the threat of privatization that has the potential to eliminate state control over the energy sector, making it more expensive and difficult for the wider community to access.

Therefore, the energy transition must be carried out through public channels, ensuring that electricity remains under state control. This is important to prevent corporate monopolies and ensure affordable and equitable energy for all Indonesians.

In this discussion, Budi Setianto from SP PLN emphasized that one of the main tasks of the union is to ensure that no constitution is violated in electricity policies or regulations. He emphasized that this struggle is not only for the interests of the present, but also for future generations.

“We are doing good, leaving something good for the world in the future,” he said. Therefore, he encouraged that in the next discussion, various elements of society be invited to strengthen arguments and broaden perspectives that can support the struggle of labor unions in the electricity sector.

Towards the end of the discussion, Andi highlighted again that electricity is not just a commodity that can be traded, but a public good, a basic need that must be accessed by all people with fair prices and quality services. He emphasized that viewing electricity only as a commodity will have an impact on the liberalization of the electricity sector which has the potential to harm the people. Privatization or commercialization of electricity is feared to make energy access dependent on market mechanisms alone, which can increase tariffs and reduce people’s rights to affordable energy.

As a next step, the participants agreed to hold a larger forum to deepen the discussion and broaden the scope of the discussion. This forum is expected to accommodate various perspectives from various elements of society, including academics, activists, and civil society organizations. From the results of the discussion, a position paper will be prepared that can be a basis for unions in formulating a stronger advocacy strategy. Thus, the struggle to ensure that electricity remains a public right, not just a commodity to be traded, can be more focused and have a real impact.