The UK government has announced that 37 offshore wind supply chain companies and six trade unions have signed up to the new Offshore Wind Fair Work Charter, an initiative designed to strengthen workers’ rights, workplace safety and employee representation in one of the country’s fastest-growing clean energy industries.

The charter, introduced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, includes commitments to improve trade union access to workplaces and create more opportunities for unions to engage directly with employees. It also establishes stronger standards on health and safety and lays the groundwork for future agreements covering employment conditions, apprenticeships and more inclusive workplaces.

Among the companies that have signed the charter are major manufacturers, ports and service providers involved in the offshore wind industry, including Navantia UK, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, Hitachi Energy, Van Oord, SeAH Wind and Nexans.

Trade unions support fair work commitments

The organisations signing the charter include GMB, RMT, Prospect, Trades Union Congress (TUC), UNISON and Unite the Union, all of which have endorsed the initiative as a step toward increasing worker participation in the growth of the renewable energy sector.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government remains committed to ensuring that the transition to a more secure and resilient energy system is accompanied by stronger workplace rights and protections. “The government has always been clear that the workers who power the nation deserve power in their workplace too,” Miliband said.

He added that the agreement would help deliver stronger working conditions and a greater independent worker voice across the offshore wind industry while supporting the UK’s clean energy ambitions.

Meanwhile, Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer of Navantia UK, said the offshore wind sector offers a significant opportunity to create well-paid, skilled jobs in communities that have long powered the country’s economy. “Signing the Charter reflects our deep commitment to fair treatment, high standards and genuine partnership with our workforce and trade unions,” Martínez said.

Charter backed by 37 supply chain companies

The initial group of signatories includes 37 companies operating across the offshore wind value chain, ranging from ports and engineering firms to cable manufacturers, logistics providers and marine services companies.

Notable signatories include Associated British Ports, Belfast Harbour, Port of Aberdeen, Cadeler UK, JDR Cable Systems, SeAH Wind, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Smulders Projects UK, Van Oord Offshore Wind UK, Vestas Celtic Wind Technology and VolkerFitzpatrick.

The government also confirmed that offshore wind projects participating in the upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 8 will be able to sign the charter. Projects that commit to the framework will be publicly identified once the allocation round results are announced.

Part of a wider employment and skills strategy

The Offshore Wind Fair Work Charter forms part of a broader government strategy to support employment and workforce development linked to the energy transition.

Earlier this week, the UK government announced a £2.5 billion youth employment package that aims to create 300,000 training and work experience placements across sectors including construction, healthcare, social care and energy.

According to the government, the charter is intended to ensure that the rapid expansion of offshore wind is accompanied by commitments on job quality, workforce development, workplace safety and worker representation throughout the supply chain.

Trade union leaders welcomed the initiative but stressed that its success will depend on implementation. Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, described the charter as “an important step towards good, secure, unionised jobs” in the offshore wind sector, while RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey called for the commitments to translate into “real improvements for local workers throughout the supply chain.”