Just transition, labour rights in the cement industry

RIZAL, Philippines (ILO News) Fritz Lindburgh Dicolen stands at the crossroads of industrial green transition and labour rights in Luzon. At 40 years old, he works as a Professional Mechanical Engineer, including as ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer, and serves as President of the Supervisory union of a cement company in the Philippines. His union is part of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) - Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).

Over 16 years, he worked his way up through maintenance and production planning in the cement industry. Today, his facility is undergoing a major green transition. For Dicolen, industrial sustainability must go hand in hand with protecting workers.

The cement industry historically relies on heavy fossil fuels like coal and heavy fuel oil. Dicolen’s plant is actively changing that pattern by adopting alternative fuels. The facility feeds Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), made from municipal plastic waste, into its kilns. The plant also processes small amounts of rubber tire powder to displace coal.

"We take plastic waste from dumpsites like Payatas and use it as fuel," Dicolen explains. "Cement kilns operate at extremely high temperatures compared to incinerators. The environmental effect is minimal, and we follow Clean Air Act standards set by environmental agencies."

Dicolen emphasizes environmental balance when promoting a just transition and adopting green technology. "We balance our use of alternative fuels carefully," Dicolen notes. "If we overuse alternative fuels, it might cause production or environmental issues." The company also explored solar power, though heavy cement dust currently limits panel efficiency. For Dicolen, these efforts help the cement sector minimize environmental impact and address climate change.

Rapid technological shifts often create deep anxiety among factory workers. Many fear that automation and new green fuels will make their jobs obsolete. Dicolen views union leadership as an essential bridge during industrial shifts.

"What causes fear among our colleagues is job security when new technologies arrive," says Dicolen. "They ask if they will stay or if there will still be a place for them."

"There are people affected when transitions happen in fuels," Dicolen adds. "The union must guide workers during this shift to ensure members are not lost but reassigned to new roles."

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and ALU-TUCP have worked together to promote a just transition, including in the cement industry under the Enhancing Tripartite Roles to Uphold Just Transitions (ENTRUST). The initiative is supported by the ILO’s Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA) with contributions from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and Qatar.

© Minette Rimando/ILO

© Minette Rimando/ILO

During collective bargaining, Dicolen negotiated strong clauses to ensure a just transition and to safeguard labour rights. "In our latest collective bargaining agreement, we worked to protect job security," Dicolen states. "The agreement ensures that union headcount cannot be reduced." When the plant added a new production line, supervisory union membership expanded from 40 to over 60 members. Dicolen also advocates directly for more than 50 casual workers. He handles their work schedules, purchase requisitions, and daily concerns.

"The voice of the union is not just for the union itself," Dicolen emphasizes. "It is the voice of the employees."

Protecting workers during technological change requires continuous upskilling. The plant trains field operators to manage crane operations for RDF feeding. Senior union members work alongside new hires to transfer technical knowledge. Dicolen practices what he preaches regarding lifelong education when he upgraded his credentials and applied for ASEAN regional engineering certifications. He urges workers to embrace modern tools, including artificial intelligence.

"Just because there is a new machine does not mean the person is gone," Dicolen observes. "Humans built the machine. You become obsolete if you do not keep learning."

Dicolen maintains open communication with management through regular Labour Management Conferences. These meetings address safety issues and clarify operational changes before rumours spread. Serving the union carries no extra pay, but Dicolen remains dedicated.

"You need everyone together so work is fair," Dicolen shares. "Studying and adding skills is not just for promotion. It is about keeping pace with changing times."