Blog by Dr Theresa Devasahayam, SI United Nations Representative, Bangkok.

Is the world prepared for the future of work, a world transformed by digitalisation? Are workers going to be able to adapt to digital development, robots and artificial intelligence? Where does this leave women workers? These were the questions raised in the meeting “The Future of Work” organised by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) which I attended on behalf of Soroptimist International in September 2021.

The bulk of the discussion focused on challenges faced by vulnerable groups in the transition towards a more digitalised workplace. It is anticipated that the disadvantages experienced by women primarily lie in the area of skills as women more than men lack access to the internet. There are also challenges faced by older workers with older women facing more challenges than men in this regard.

Because the economies of many countries are driven by small-medium enterprises, the question of how governments might help these set-ups was raised. Since women tend to own the SMEs and that these businesses would be most insecure in this shift towards a more digitalised economy, governments should have in their plan to reach out and address the needs of these businesses.

In the shift towards digitalisation, the gig economy is more likely to be the norm. It is an economy that is less structured and less regulated which might to some extent benefit women as it enables women to continue engaging in their caregiver role while holding down a job.

The question of how the United Nations might help SMEs across the world was highlighted: particularly in the area of knowledge sharing of employer behaviour and raising awareness on the need for social protection to the extent of making work better for women.

In the shift towards a world of work dominated by technology, investing in people to protect jobs should be a fundamental priority of governments. Work programmes should include skills training to equip the workforce. The question of how to include women, older persons, persons with disability and others also comes into the equation. In this respect, governments should be equally focused on reducing inequalities as much as only improving skills to prepare individuals towards this shift to a digital economy. Only with this understanding will there be development justice and a shift away from the neoliberal paradigm. Hence the future of work should be work that benefits all: including those left behind, such as women.

(Lead image: concept note).