Digitalisation has become one of the most important catchwords in the debate about structural change and the modernisation of society and the economy (in both the national and European contexts), most especially in the world of work. One of the reasons why this term is attractive is no doubt because its vagueness allows for a broad range of interpretations and usage.
In the world of work, digitalisation can be an opportunity and a threat. On the positive side, it is often linked to a growing autonomy for individual workers – via smartphone, tablet or other mobile devices – affecting working time as well as the place the work is done. On the other hand, mobile technology also means permanent access, control and blurring of work-life boundaries. New forms of mobile work have also intensified trends towards new kinds of dependency and precarious jobs as well as insecurity (for example ‘clickworkers’, on-demand jobs, ‘digital nomads’, etc.).
The whole world, and particularly Europe, is currently facing a gigantic transformation in the world of work. Many aspects of the ongoing digitalisation process are not yet clear or understood. What are the problems linked to this process? What solutions are needed? What does all this mean for democracy at the workplace, and especially workers’ information, consultation and board-level representation? What is the impact on work organisation? What opportunities are available to influence company decision-making in the digital era through information, consultation and board-level representation, in the context of protracted high unemployment levels destroying skills?
The three main objectives of the project “Workers Participation: the Key to Fair Digitalisation” are:
- To gather information and experiences of good practice in workers’ participation, information and consultation and board-level representation in the context of digitalisation at regional, national and transnational level.
- To identify key gaps and challenges that currently exist in the involvement of trade unions, works councils, European Works Councils and board-level representatives in digitalisation-driven change and restructuring, including questions about influencing corporate and industrial policies.
- To prepare the cornerstones of a trade union agenda on workers’ participation in the digital era at European level that provides guidance and orientation for unions, works councils at national level, European Works Councils and board-level representatives. This agenda should also reinforce the involvement of trade unions, works councils, European Works Councils and board-level representatives in EU-level policy initiatives on digitalisation.
Here you can find out more about the project activities.