Labour conference sets focus on technology impact

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 22, 2024 06:00

The ILES this week launched its third Annual Labour Conference scheduled for June 20-21, 2024 themed: "A Job-rich economy: Leveraging technologies for sustainable decent work." Speaking at the launch, ILES' chief executive officer, Shandukani Hlabano, said the gathering is to present an opportunity for key players to show ideas and experiences of what obtains in the labour market.

Hlabano also said the conference would challenge parties on what needs to be done to improve the local job market and to evaluate what has been done. He further said it is vital to highlight technology as today's job-rich economy encompasses different technology methods hence the need for a dialogue.

"Technological advancements have inevitably reshaped the labour market, leading to both opportunities and challenges for organisations. Some have successfully harnessed technology to drive growth and innovation, while others have struggled to adapt, facing difficult decisions like retrenchments. We look forward to sharing these diverse experiences and insights on how to navigate the evolving landscape and ensure the retention of valued staff," said Hlabano.

The 2024 labour conference is to explore four pivotal subject matters including the role of stakeholders in Job growth, as of how can government, employers, and workers' organisations collectively leverage technology to foster job creation and sustainable employment. It will also seek to discover innovation in the face of disruption as of what cutting-edge initiatives can harness the power of technology to drive job creation and enhance working conditions.

This also extends to protecting vulnerable groups in the digital age: How can we safeguard the informal sector, disadvantaged groups, and the environment from the potential downsides of emerging technologies, digitalisation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)? While lastly, the labour conference will seek the insights in safeguarding worker health and safety in the new workplace: What international, regional, and national frameworks are needed to address the novel occupational hazards arising from new technologies and working arrangements? This 2024 labour conference promises to be a dynamic forum for exploring these critical issues and developing practical strategies for creating a job-rich, technology-driven economy that promotes sustainable decent work for all. The conference will have four presentations with an addition of four panel discussions led by 20 panelists and two moderators.