Plenary hall of European parliament in Strasbourg. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ahead of the European Parliament vote scheduled for Tuesday, 20 January 2026 on the report “Just transition directive in the world of work: ensuring the creation of jobs and revitalising local economies”, the Secretariat of COMECE has published a position paper entitled “A Just Transition that Protects Human Dignity, Work and Communities”, on Friday, 16 January 2026. In this paper, COMECE encourages Members of the European Parliament to support the report, calling on the European Commission to put forward a new directive in this area. Read the Position Paper [EN]
According to COMECE, Europe’s commitment to ecological transformation is necessary, but such transformation must not deepen social divisions. Workers and regions affected by structural change need reliable perspectives, structures of solidarity and genuine participation in shaping the future. Only a socially just transition will gain lasting acceptance.
COMECE stresses that ecological responsibility and social justice are inseparable. Work is not merely an economic activity, but a source of dignity, family stability and social participation. Abrupt and poorly anticipated industrial restructuring can deeply affect workers, their families and entire communities.
For this reason, ahead of the European Parliament vote on the report “Just transition directive in the world of work: ensuring the creation of jobs and revitalising local economies”, COMECE encourages MEPs to support such report, calling on the European Commission to put forward a new directive for a just transition that promotes anticipation, social dialogue and concrete support, so that change is shaped with people, not imposed upon them.
The position paper elaborated by the Secretariat of COMECE highlights the importance of policies that promote early planning of industrial change, access to training and reskilling and targeted support for regions and communities in transition. Such measures help protect social cohesion and inclusion, prevent territorial decline and maintain Europe’s productive capacity, while ensuring that families are not forced to bear the social costs of transformation alone.
COMECE underlines that public support for ecological transformation depends on whether people experience it as fair and credible. Legislative initiatives that provide common European safeguards for anticipation, participation and solidarity can contribute to rebuilding trust and ensuring that climate action goes hand in hand with human dignity, strong communities and a resilient economy.
The full position paper of the COMECE Secretariat is available here in English.
