Future of work: Addressing the challenges of digitalisation

Digitalisation has the potential to fundamentally change working life through new technologies that enable us to solve problems in novel ways, but simultaneously disrupt value chains, business models, competence needs and power relations in working life. In this seminar, we ask how the social partners can shape digitalisation, and what the Nordic countries can learn from the German experiences.

This seminar launches a new report which investigates social partner strategies related to digitalisation, in the Nordic countries and Germany. The report is commissioned by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and authored by Professor Wolfgang Schroeder of Kassel University, Germany, who will present his findings.

Key questions are what consequences digitalisation wil have for industrial-, labour market- and trade union policies, following greater use of digital technologies in services and industrial production. Going beyond a narrow discourse focused on technological aspects, what social and economic challenges are presented by the digital economy?  What is the role of the social partners? What can we learn from their involvement in initiatives for technological and social innovations, such as Industry 4.0, Work 4.0 and the regulation of the platform economy?