Perspectives from developing countries - It’s the End of the work as we know It (and I feel fine)!

Mark Graham, Amel Saidane, Dorothy Gordon, Richard David Precht In
the upcoming years, the increasing automation of tasks will most
likely cost hundreds of thousands of jobs, disrupting major
industries. Developing countries will be especially affected by the
digital transformation of work. At the same time, more and more
people enter the job market and turn online to find jobs, as the
offline market is less promising. Here, job seekers in developing
countries compete on a global virtual job market for short term
freelance work. To date, binding international agreements on labour
rights and social security are missing. The cheaper, the better –
no chance to complain. BUT: The digital economy will also create
new job profiles and entire new industries that are beyond todays
imagination. It will open new markets and provide higher wages
compared to local jobs in developing countries. Online platforms
promise more objectivity, inclusivity and flexibility to everyone
who is connected and has access to the job market from anywhere in
the world. Yes, digital transformation changes how people live and
work in developing countries. It truly is the end of the work as we
know it. So how can we ensure that developing countries will be
fine? Is it enough to provide access and digital literacy skills?
We want to leverage partnerships and prepare governments to react
to these disrupting megatrends. The time to act is now and we are
all in charge!