IndustriAll Europe is organizing a two-year project on the consequences of the digital transformation on working conditions and work organisation in our sectors.

With this project we would like to empower workers to drive the social innovation that must go hand in hand with technological development, ensuring that digital transformation is leading to more social progress and does not leave anyone behind.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Analyse the consequences of the digital transformation on working conditions and work organisation in our industrial sectors;
• Identify tools and responses developed by trade unions to shape the social consequences resulting from the introduction of digital technologies;
  
• Formulate recommendations to support trade union actions.

In the cause of the project we will address the following issues:

• The impact of digitalisation on employment, working time, wages and benefits. How to share the value added?
• The impact of digitalisation on working conditions: Stress, work-life balance, monitoring of work. How to make the best of technology – and avoid the worst?
• The impact of digitalisation on skills. What training do workers need?

The project consists of a survey on the impact of the digital transformation in our sectors and on trade union responses expressed in information/consultation processes, company agreements and collective bargaining agreements. There will be three regional workshops and a final conference.

Why this project?

The digital transformation has a profound impact on the industries and the workers we represent. Some of our sectors such as automotive, aerospace, chemicals, paper and energy have already been heavily automated and are further impacted by digital technologies, for instance by smart robotics for assembly, by process control computers in the chemicals sector, 3D printing for producing components and spare parts. The second wave of digital transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence, the Industrial Internet of Things and Big Data is likely to be more disruptive and may cause inequalities between companies but also between regions of Europe.

Digital transformation will continue to be part of our daily life. It will impact jobs and the quality of work, working conditions and work organization.

The choice is not between digitalisation and no digitalization. Our challenge is to ensure that this transformation is leading to more social progress and does not leave anyone behind.

Therefore, we would like to empower workers to drive this social innovation. To do that they must be able to better anticipate the consequences of new technological developments and influence employers’ decisions via strengthened participation rights. The consequences of digital technologies must be discussed and lead to negotiated solutions at all levels, company, sector, national and European levels.