Coal mining in Colombia

What is happening?

The coal industry in northern Colombia is shrinking rapidly due to mine closures by major multinationals such as Prodeco-Glencore and Carbones del Cerrejón. These companies are ceasing their operations without sufficient consultation with workers and local communities.

The regions of La Guajira and Cesar are heavily dependent on coal mining: Prodeco accounts for 40 per cent of regional GDP in Cesar, whilst Cerrejón accounts for as much as 43 per cent in La Guajira. The closures are leading to massive job losses and social deprivation. Trade unions warn that thousands of families are being left to fend for themselves.

Furthermore, miners have been working under high pressure for years, including dangerous shift patterns and inadequate safety measures. The Fair Work Monitor highlights serious labour rights violations, such as forced labour, discrimination and the exclusion of agency workers.

Our approach

CNV Internationaal supports trade unions in negotiations, policy advocacy and international due diligence processes. Together with five major miners’ unions, a workers’ collective has been formed to mitigate the impact of the energy transition and advocate for a just transition.

CNV Internationaal helps to establish tripartite social dialogue, ensure compliance with international agreements and support legal proceedings in which communities and workers demand a say in mine closures.

The Fair Work Monitor documents abuses, enabling trade unions to negotiate more effectively and providing policymakers with insight into the risks faced by workers.

Our impact

Thanks to a joint effort, a groundbreaking ruling was handed down by the Colombian Constitutional Court in 2024. This ruling obliges multinationals to engage in social dialogue and to involve workers and communities in mine closure plans.

CNV Internationaal supported the trade union coalition in negotiations, which led, amongst other things, to better working conditions for more than 4,000 Drummond miners, including pay rises and improved social benefits.

At the Cerrejón mine, the dangerous ‘death shift’ was abolished in 2024 following successful collective bargaining supported by CNV International. This led to shorter working hours, improved safety and the reinstatement of jobs for employees who had previously been made redundant.

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