Herbert Lewis, Guest Columnist
Herbert Lewis
THE FUTURE of work is one of the most important issues facing
working people particularly in developing countries today. That is because traditional social values toward work and the employment relationship are becoming obsolete due to rapidly changing technologies and global economic changes.
The labour movement opposes most of the consequences of the changes in the employment relationship. And they argue that they are justified in doing so. High unemployment and underemployment, increasing numbers of involuntary part time and term or contract employment, increased job insecurity, forced early retirements and inadequate pensions are all consequences of the 'new world economy'.
Equally clear, declining union membership is another result of the changes in work.
However, simply opposing the sweeping changes occurring in the workplace is not the answer. If the labour movement is going to be a responsible agent in its protection and enhancement of workers' rights and standard of living, we are going to have to deal with the future of work on a broad social, economic and political basis.
EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION
The massive changes to world economic patterns brought about by increasing free trade in goods and services under the World Trade Organisations agreement on trade and tariffs, and the even more radical changes contained in the Canada-U.S. NAFTA, have undermined employment in a number of sectors.
Simply put, the trade deals allow companies to move labour-intensive manufacturing plants out of high-wage, industrialised countries to low-wage, non-union 'emerging economies' like Mexico. In fact, the trade deals don't simply 'allow' such transfers of work, they actually force large corporations to move in order to maintain market shares.
What is true, however, is that not many, if any of the labour-intensive manufacturing jobs are coming our way in Jamaica where the need is great. We hear of foreign investments but there is not the corresponding job creation. Some say the requisite level of education and skills are not readily available, others say that the high levels of crime and violence are major factors. Still others blame it on corruption and bureaucratic red tape.
If there is no change in the current process of technological change or free-market movement of goods, services, profits, education system, reduction of crime and violence, and a reduction of corruption and bureaucratic red tape, then our current job crisis will continue to deteriorate. Employment will become 'more flexible', traditional jobs will continue to disappear and we will face a new polarisation of workers between the few with decent full-time jobs and decent wages and benefit, and the majority stuck in an endless series of temporary, low-wage, no benefit jobs. In such an economy, union density and influence will continue to fall and amendment to our labour laws to offer protection to non-unionised workers to have access to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal is neither the answer to job retention nor job creation.
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
Although globalisation of economies has accelerated the process, the development of new techniques alone would inevitably have
produced a job crisis in most of the world. For example, in resource extraction industries like mining, the introduction of new technology has caused production to continue to rise for decades while employment in that industry has plummeted.
The displacement of workers by 'labour-saving' technologies has been taking place all over the world in every kind of workplace. This is in an effort to become more efficient and be competitive in the global marketplace. In telecommunications, transportation and finances, micro-technologies have displaced tens of thousands of operators and tellers. In offices, computers have vastly increased the productivity of secretarial and clerical workers, and displaced even more jobs.
The rate of technological change has not slowed, nor can it be expected to in the future. The inescapable conclusion is that it will take less and less people to produce more goods and services. That means more and more workers will face marginal employment on the fringes of the 'new economy' away from the traditional
occupations in our economies.
I believe that there are two different visions of the future of work: an employers' vision and a workers' vision. The employer's vision is best typified by 'Human Resources Strategy' which says:
Good attitude is critical.
Full-time permanent jobs could be a thing of the past.
'Flexible' work arrangements like term or contract work. Part-time, work, self employment are desirable.
Workers will be responsible for training themselves so that they remain 'employable'.
High levels of unemployment are inescapable.
Multi-skilling and cross-trade training will replace traditional apprenticeship programs.
Team player is a must.
Many employers consider the current trends in the labour market are a perfect fit for their need in the present environment in which they have to do business. This should be no
surprise, all things considered. For working people, the current trends will, if unchecked produce a very bleak future. What working people need in a job market today is:
Full employment.
Full-time, permanent jobs.
Decent wages and benefits.
Skills training linked to employment.
Portable skills.
A solid safety net during periods of unemployment or injury, or retraining.
A secure retirement.
A healthy and safe workplace.
Adequate leisure time to enjoy life.
The fundamental question is: What can be done to change the deterioration of the job market?
I am convinced that we can demand the introduction of flexi work arrangement, the reduction of crime and violence, and a comprehensive economic development strategy aimed at full employment, are important changes which will change the future of work in our country. But the number one priority in any strategy must be the containment and reduction of crime and violence.
Herbert Lewis is an industrial relations specialist and past president of the Jamaica Employers' Federation.
