Report Launch with Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - “Rush to renewables: Toward migrant worker rights and a just energy transition in the Gulf”

Equidem and Business & Human Rights Resource Centre are pleased to release new research into the renewable energy landscape in the GCC countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE – through our report, "Rush to Renewables: Toward Migrant Worker Rights and a Just Energy Transition in the Gulf."

The research builds on migrant worker-led investigations conducted by Equidem in the region, including into conditions in renewable energy value chains, and coincides with the launch of a new data explorer from the Resource Centre exploring the projects and stakeholders at the forefront of the energy transition in the region.

Grounded in migrant workers’ experience, the report includes:

• A mapping of the renewable energy industry landscape across the six GCC countries, identifying the companies awarded work to develop, construct and maintain solar, wind and green hydrogen facilities, highlighting the many global renewable energy companies operating or planning to operate in the Gulf;
• An illustrative country case study, based on migrant worker testimony exposing abusive working conditions in the renewable energy sector, including on solar and wind farms, energy retail and parts distribution in the UAE;
• An analysis of how top renewables companies’ policy commitments measure up against the human rights standards most relevant to migrant workers and a just transition, highlighting better performers as well as key policy gaps in the sector as it capitalises on the opportunity of GCC renewables expansion.

While workers’ testimony reveals egregious abuse for subcontracted and outsourced migrant workers in the renewable energy value chain, the Resource Centre’s assessment of company policy and commitment demonstrates clear gaps in protections for migrant workers by companies at the forefront of the energy transition in the region.

Equidem and BHRRC will be virtually presenting our findings on 10 December at 14H00 GMT. Join us to discuss these findings and the path forward for a truly just and sustainable energy transition. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Nf7tbyzmQbqkEqdtTLZ9Iw#/registration