Press Release / 22.06.2021
The world of work faces a large-scale shift due to the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology (Industry 4.0). Six organizations from Romania, Hungary and Slovakia joined forces in the “Renewed social dialogue for the new world of work. Job transitions & digitalisation in two industrial sectors in CEE countries –Romania, Hungary, Slovakia –WorkTransitionCEE” Project.
For 22 months, the consortium constructed to bring together 6 representative social partners from Central and Eastern Europe Countries, Concordia (RO), BNS (RO), MGYOSZ (HU), VASAS (HU), RUZ (SK), NKOS (SK) will join forces to understand Industry 4.0 risks, challenges and opportunities for job transition. The project will explore ICT upskilling and how to strengthen social dialogue at national and sector level, with a deeper understanding of sectoral dynamics.
In an article on the future of work, the World Economic Forum mentions that 90% of the jobs now require IT skills and for 60% of occupations, at least 30% of the main activities could be automated. Artificial intelligence and robotics alone will create almost 60 million new jobs worldwide in the next 5 years, while many jobs will change or even disappear. The transition will take different shapes in different industries depending on the speed and degree of automation.
The project aims to emphasize, to employers and employees alike, that the next two years will play a critical role in job transition in the new world of work, including as part of the European social dialogue and as part of the implementation of the Autonomous Framework Agreement on Digitalisation.
WorkTransitionCEE brings a fresh perspective on social dialogue, proposing innovative tools and methodologies, such as job scaping, co-creation and trends insights, with a view to increase the capacity of social partners to respond to the challenges raised by the job transition. In preparation for larger transformations, through these project, we also aim to guide employers, workers and their representatives on how to approach job transition in the future.
The challenges raised by automation and artificial intelligence are not ours alone and during the project we will address relevant decision makers and social partners at national & sectoral level by developing practical guides and relevant policy recommendations.
