Digitalisation Special Edition of the ETUC newsletter
Towards a fair digital work
Beyond the brave new world of digitalisation
Digitalisation of the economy and society is an important challenge for the European trade union movement. It is about to change industry, services, markets, but also the world of labour in general (in public services, education etc.). Digitalisation means opportunities as well as risks. Studies currently available on the future of work suggest that there will be winners and losers amongst workers. One of the risks is that digitalisation might become an additional driver of social and territorial inequalities.
The European Union must shape the digitalisation of Europe’s economy and society much more actively, with policy initiatives to avoid massive job losses and ensure the creation of quality jobs and decent working conditions. As stressed in a resolution of the ETUC executive in June 2016, digitalisation could
provide new jobs and stimulate economic recovery; liberation from dangerous, monotonous and repetitive tasks; and enable a better work-life balance;
wipe out jobs, lead to more insecure and precarious work, and a loss of privacy and control over personal data.
“Digitalisation is an existential challenge for workers and the trade union movement” said Peter Scherrer, ETUC Deputy General Secretary. “It cannot simply be left to the market, but must be shaped by the EU, national and regional authorities and employers, in negotiation and partnership with trade unions. Europe has to seize the opportunity, but without being blind to the risks.”
ETUC Resolution on Fair Digitalisation
In its resolution, adopted in June 2016, the ETUC Executive Committee calls for a Directive on privacy at work, an EU Framework on crowd-working, a big increase in skills education and training, including continuous occupational training within companies and services and a major effort for getting more women into ICT, maths, science, technology and engineering – both in universities and companies. The ETUC also calls for action to avoid digitalisation creating a few winners and many losers, and contributing to even more inequality of wealth.
The impact on labour markets and workers has so far been largely unpredictable, unplanned, and by no means altogether positive. Digitalisation is generating a wide range of non-standard forms of work offering workers themselves low pay, little control and miserable working conditions.
1st ETUC Workshop on Digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation
On 2 December 2015, the ETUC organised a workshop on digitalisation with member organisations as well as with external guests, in the context of its activities on workers’ participation. As well as an exchange of experiences and views from the perspective of national ETUC members, representatives of the EU Commission and the European Parliament gave an update on the current state of play. The workshop was the first in a series of events that should provide food for thought for an ETUC strategy on digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation.
2nd ETUC Workshop on Digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation
On 23 February 2016, the second ETUC workshop on digitalisation took place at the premises of the European Transport Federation in Brussels. The event was attended by around 50 participants from national ETUC members, European Industry Federations and experts. The presentations and discussions shed light on different aspects of the impact of digitalisation on working life and labour, e.g. the potential need to refine labour law regulations, digital skills, data protection and workers’ participation.
3rd ETUC Workshop on Digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation
On 20 April 2016, the third ETUC workshop on digitalisation took place at the Kartuizercenter in Brussels. Attended by around 30 participants, the event aimed at gathering information and experiences to feed into an ETUC position and strategic orientation on workers’ information, consultation and participation in the light of digitalisation. A representative of the Cabinet of Commissioner Thyssen reported on DG Employment’s activities on digitalisation and work. In addition, academics from Oxford University and Eurofound presented research results on the emergence of new forms of work and employment triggered by digital technologies and platforms, and representatives of the ETUC secretariat provided input on the environmental impact of digitalisation.
4th ETUC Workshop on Digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation
On 16 June 2016, the fourth and so far final ETUC workshop on digitalisation took place at the premises of the CGSLB in Brussels. The Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Oettinger gave an overview of the current state of the Digital Single Market, and representatives of European trade union federations and the ETUI outlined company and sector-related experiences of digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation. The workshop focused also on the need to regulate “crowdworking”. An Oxford University professor highlighted key challenges, and Esther Lynch, ETUC confederal secretary and legal expert, added her comments. Like the previous events organised in this series, the workshop will help in drawing up an ETUC strategy on strengthening workers’ information, consultation and participation practices in the context of digitalisation.
European Social Partners: Need to address "digital divides"
“Potential digital divides – whether generational, gender-based, regional or social – must be addressed.” Statement of the European Social Partners on Digitalisation. Tripartite Social Summit, 16 March 2016.
Europe needs a new industrial strategy, in order to meet the fundamental needs of the future, including coping with the consequences of digitalisation of production and services on the labour market - Speech by Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary, at 2nd IndustriAll-Europe Congress, Madrid, 7-9 June 2016.
On 2 December 2015, the ETUC organised a workshop on digitalisation with member organisations as well as with external guests, in the context of its activities on workers’ participation. As well as an exchange of experiences and views from the perspective of national ETUC members, representatives of the EU Commission and the European Parliament gave an update on the current state of play. The workshop was the first in a series of events that should provide food for thought for an ETUC strategy on digitalisation and its impact on workers’ information, consultation and participation. 
“Potential digital divides – whether generational, gender-based, regional or social – must be addressed.” Statement of the European Social Partners on Digitalisation. Tripartite Social Summit, 16 March 2016.
Europe needs a new industrial strategy, in order to meet the fundamental needs of the future, including coping with the consequences of digitalisation of production and services on the labour market - Speech by Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary, at 2nd IndustriAll-Europe Congress, Madrid, 7-9 June 2016.
