THE GREAT JOBS FRAUD

How unrealistic employment claims are deceiving coal mining communities in southeast Europe and delaying a just transition to sustainable energy

2018 UPDATE JUNE 2018 Research and writing Ioana Ciută, CEE Bankwatch Network Pippa Gallop, CEE Bankwatch Network

Acknowledgements Claudia Ciobanu, CEE Bankwatch Network Bjanka Čuturilo, CEKOR Rinora Gojani, Balkan Green Foundation Tamara Gulka, formerly of CEKOR Learta Hollaj, INDEP/KOSID Igor Kalaba, Climate Action Network Europe Nikos Mantzaris, WWF Greece Diana Milev-Čavor, Green Home Alexandru Mustată, Bankwatch Romania Nevena Smilevska, Eko-Svest Denis Žiško, Center for Ecology and Energy Duška Kudra, Center for Environment

Editing Pippa Gallop, CEE Bankwatch Network

Design [email protected] Updated by Zhenya Tsoy

Cover photo Mihai Stoica

This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of CEE Bankwatch Network and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. Contents

Executive Summary 4 Introduction 6 What happened so far with new lignite plants in the region 10 A cautionary tale from Slovenia... And from ... Employment trends in the EU lignite sector 12 Poland Czech Republic Other EU countries Bosnia and Herzegovina 14 Federation of BiH Bulgaria 22 Greece 26 Kosovo 28 Macedonia 30 Montenegro 32 Romania 34 Serbia 40 Employment in renewables and energy efficiency in the EU 44 Conclusions and recommendations 47 Annex 1: Overview of mine productivity per employee (country 51 average and mine-by-mine) Annex 2: Power plant labour productivity - existing plants 53 Annex 3: Power plant labour productivity - planned plants 54 Annex 4: Jobs in the renewable energy sector across the EU-28, 55 2016 figures EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In several southeast European countries1, new reading, especially in a region with high coal-fired power plants are planned. This is in unemployment, but in fact it is already contrast to most of the EU, where no new coal happening in most countries. Recognising this plants are planned, due to their climate and fact and being prepared for it is crucial. health impacts, and their poor economics. The southeast European plans are accompanied by Trying to delay the inevitable with promises promises of creating new workplaces or saving of new plants will have very little impact on current ones. this overall trend. The table below sums up the claims made by proponents compared This study, an update of our November 2016 to our findings on jobs in the plants and 1 2 analysis , examines the claims and finds that associated mines. While proponents have For the purposes of this paper, in almost all cases, they are exaggerated. In overall claimed that 10 030 jobs would be southeast Europe includes fact, even the current levels of employment maintained and 17 600 new jobs created, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia cannot be maintained and some companies and Herzegovina, Croatia, a reduction of workplaces by around 5170 such as Elektroprivreda Srbije and the Pljevlja Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, coal mine in Montenegro have already begun is more likely. Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. According to the reducing their workforce. A fair and inclusive This is because although some new jobs UN, Kosovo is “under the plan is urgently needed to transform coal- would be created, they would be fewer than United Nations Interim dependent communities. usually claimed, and would do little to offset Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) established the staff reductions needed at the coal mines The planned 500 MW3 Kosovo e Re power plant pursuant to Security Council to bring them into line with EU average is perhaps the regional prize winner in terms