Talent and emerging technology challenges
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Workers are facing a double blow from climate change and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of work, requiring new skills and adjustments to survive the inevitable changes. writes GLORIA NWAFOR.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape of Nigeria’s job market, creating new job opportunities while destroying traditional jobs.
In fact, by 2027, the revolution driven by emerging technologies, including AI, will create 69 million new jobs while eliminating 83 million.
This means, if measured, that there will be 14 million fewer jobs globally over the next five years.
Already, there are concerns that Mr. Alu’s rise threatens Nigeria’s currently fragile job market.
Specifically, the growth trend in AI could cause job losses in Africa’s largest economy, where unemployment has risen by nearly 40%, advisory services firm KPMG said.
Although the full impact of AI on the job market is not yet clear, experts say that investing in education and training programs and creating a supportive environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship can help. He says it is important to prepare for the future.
In doing so, they say, Nigeria can harness the potential of AI to build a better future for its people.
International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Hungbo recently highlighted the threat of growing inequality, insecurity and vulnerability at the G20 summit, and how AI will make skills development and protection efforts even more important. appealed to the leaders.
He said workers will need new skills to adapt and thrive in the face of a tough transition.
He said research and policy need to be considered to better assess the impact of AI on issues such as gender balance, social justice, and other ethical and moral issues arising from the use of AI in the workplace. appealed to the business community.
Similarly, the findings of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Work Report 2023, which looked at how jobs and skills will evolve over the next five years, show that governments and businesses need to invest in the future of work through education. It says there is a need to invest to support the transition. , reskilling and social support structures that can ensure individuals are at the heart of their future jobs.
Specifically, the report estimates that, on average, 44% of an individual worker’s skills need to be updated.
The report states that, reflecting the growing importance of complex problem-solving in the workplace, employers are increasingly valuing strong cognitive skills, and that in 2023 the most important skills for workers will be analytical He added that he thinks it will lead to creative thinking and creative thinking.
Already, stakeholders are expressing concern about impending job losses as the robotized economy grows.
However, they called on the federal government to actively improve social protection coverage.
The President of the National Industrial Tribunal of Nigeria (NICN), Benedict Canip, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s gradual transition to the Fifth Industrial Revolution driven by technological improvements and AI, speaking at the National Labor Tribunal Forum on robotization. He said that the number of workers is increasing due to the increased number of workplaces. In most cases, especially at the risk of losing jobs for unskilled workers, both employers and employees are always within the ambit of the law when resolving trade disputes and other labor disputes. jurisdiction.
Ayuba Waba, former president of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC); Photo/Facebook/NLCHQ
Mr. Ayuba Waba, Immediate Past Chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), called for social protection for workers, training and retraining through capacity building of workers, as one robot performs many jobs. He called for the relief of workers and the provision of job security. Worker.
According to him, “As the fifth industrial revolution progresses, there will be challenges posed by these new ways of working. It means that we need to scale up the issue: how to widen the scope of social protection to ensure that all people are protected, because they are citizens and have the right to a livelihood. must be found.
“We don’t want anyone to lose their jobs to robots because of technology. As a result, the NLC is registering new trade unions, including those in the informal sector, and forcing more employers to enforce working conditions. We are working hard to raise awareness of the need for improvement and the need to protect workers’ rights to make a fruitful contribution to their employers.”
Additionally, while organizations are focusing on training and upskilling their employees in line with current realities, some unions, such as the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), have They have expressed concern about a repeat of the dismissal. .
Some industry players said automation would ensure seamless cargo clearance and processing, but others were concerned about technology replacing humans.
They expressed concern over the clamor for automation of port operations and processes in the country’s maritime sector.
They warned that persistent demands to automate port processes could lead to mass job losses for the industry’s workers.
MWUN Vice-Chancellor Harry Toney said at a stakeholder forum that technology in the maritime sector, as witnessed during the 2006 port concession, affected and in turn led port workers. and expressed concern that the rapid adoption of innovations could lead to job losses. This will lead to a reduction in the workforce of employees across the industry.
He advised government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that these technological advances do not come at the expense of maritime workers.
Canip
He said port communities and government labor employers should focus on developing talent and human capabilities through training and retention of workers in line with international best practices.
He emphasized that shipping companies, terminal operators and government agencies have not been able to build the capacity of workers to cope with the dynamism of automated systems in port operations.
Shamika Silliman, head of technology and logistics at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said developing countries need to prepare to benefit from AI by accelerating the use, adoption, adaptation and development of technology. We recommend that.
“First, we must continue to prepare our workforce for the 21st century. This means developing digital skills and building complementary skills such as complex problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. and strengthen,” he said.
He added that countries need to consider the people who will be lost in the transition to new forms of work.
According to him, “reskilling programs should be part of government policies and programs to address job losses due to new technologies.”
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Source: guardian.ng