4IR: Effect on employment and workers towards an inclusive policy

Z A M Khairuzzaman :

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is dramatically changing the pattern of labour demand across all countries in the world. Keeping pace with the world civilisation, Bangladesh will also enter into the era of 4IR. It will create massive prospects and challenges. Because of 4IR, lots of workers will fall into short and long- term risks. Therefore, now is the time to take all-out preparations. Theoretically, technological innovation enhances productivity, increases wealth, which then increases aggregate demand for goods and services and creates more jobs to meet up the increased demand. The consequence is that there is a positive effect on the long-run economic growth. This will also ensure an efficient, cost-effective and competitive production through modern tech.
However, the application of a new technology always destroys some jobs in the short run, causing “technological unemployment’ as termed first by John Maynard Keynes. The total outcome of this creation and destruction depends on the transition process of the displaced workers.
Policies have a very important role here, in upgrading skills of the displaced workers and supporting them during the transition period.
From now on, work should begin at the government’s policy formulation level for Bangladeshi workers’ protection, skill development, and re-employment. Skill development, strategic planning, transparency and strong networking are essential to meet the short and long-term challenges being faced by the workers. Workers, trade unions, factory owners and civil society members should be involved with the entire process. Skill development is an important issue that needs strategic planning for implementation. For its successful implementation, transparency, accountability and strong networking are a must.
Structural changes occurred during second and third industrial revolutions. Those who took preparations promptly, they came out successful. Presently, Bangladesh is on its way of elevating towards a developed nation from the list of least developed ones in 2026. Presently, the situation of the country is comparable with Japan of the year 1960 and China of the year 2000. Now is the appropriate time to take a moral decision to mitigate the risk that will be created in the sphere of workers’ employment due to 4IR taking advantage of technology? Time-befitting steps should be taken to impart appropriate training to Bangladeshi workers who might dropout due to structural changes.
Alongside government and factory owners, trade unions should work continuously to push ahead the workers by developing their knowledge and skills. Employer-worker collaboration is especially critical for growth and prosperity. One-and-a half-lakh workers are working in call centres. According to experts, lakhs of employment will be created due to the Gig and platform economy. A revolutionary change will occur in the fields of education, health and industries although job loss might happen in five major sectors, including Readymade Garments and Textiles, Leather and Footwear, Agro-food and Furniture. In all five sectors, new jobs will be created and old jobs are going to be vanished or transformed. However, female workers might be impacted adversely. Women workers with less education and workers with low-wage occupations are going to be impacted more. Unemployment allowance should be introduced. A new relationship between the owners and workers should emerge.
In the sphere of employment, skill development will be required. In 2022, the proportion of tasks completed by humans was 66% and 34%, while in 2027, it will be 57% and 43%. Importance should be given on skills, not degrees, which will shape the future of work.
Conclusion: Adapting to Technological Changes: Trade unions must adapt to the new technological landscape by advocating for the skilling and re-skilling of workers to match current trends in the world of work.
Ensuring Workers’ Rights: Unions can ensure the workers’ rights and participation are guaranteed in the digital economy. This includes protecting the co-determination approach of trade unions and intensifying the campaign for living wages.
Addressing job instability: The digital economy transforms jobs and employment relationships, leading to a social divide between workers with stable, well-paying jobs and those with unstable, poorly paid, or precarious jobs.
Global Strategies: Trade unions should develop global strategies and work with organisations like the International Labour Organisation to respond to the digital economy and demand Just Transition plans as the world moves from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Opportunities and Risks: While there are opportunities from technological innovation and digitalisation, trade unions must address the risks and ensure that workers are not exploited under the 4IR.
Trade unions have the potential to shape the future of work in the 4IR by being proactive and engaging in lifelong learning, social dialogue and collective bargaining. By doing so, they can ensure that workers’ rights are protected and that the benefits of technological advancements are shared equitably.
The outcome was revealed at a symposium organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) in the capital’s CIRDAP Auditorium on November 16, 2024.

(The writer is the Senior Vice-President of Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists’ Forum (BLRJF). E-mail: [email protected])