"Additional skills are needed, so that workers are not marginalized in the era of automation and digitalization," UNI Apro Regional Secretary Christopher Ng said here in Davao, Philippines, Tuesday.
Christopher Ng made the statement in a joint session of the Conference of The Union Network International Asia Pacific Region (UNI Apro) MEI which took place in Davao, the Philippines, from Aug 14-15, 2018.
He remarked that the new job created in the era of automation requires different skills.
"Therefore, workers must be given skills to deal with the era of automation," he said.
The challenge, he continued, is how trade unions ensure an increase in the ability of workers who experience the transfer of new jobs.
Meanwhile, Vice President of Uni Apro MEI Khairruzzaman Hj Mohammad said that workers must always improve their skills following the development of technology.
"We must provide skills and training to ensure every worker get prepared for future work," he stressed.
The latest Microsoft and IDC study entitled "Unlocking the Economic Impact of Digital Transformation in Asia Pacific" shows that 85 percent of jobs in Asia and the Pacific will experience transformation in the next three years.
Respondents in the study said that more than 50 percent of the work would be transferred to new positions and / or the skills of workers should be retrained and improved for digital transformation.
However, the study shows, 26 percent of new jobs are created from digital transformation. This will offset 27 percent of work that will be outsourced or done automatically.
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
