Digital development provides several career options for those who are unable to do a traditional job: Al Hamli

HE Nasser Bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, reviewed a set of strategies that the UAE adopted to shape the future in several areas including the future of work at the International Labour Conference (ILC) currently being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Many international reports highlighted the changes faced by the future of work, the majority of which ended up in inquiries about the risks involved in the future of work and the jobs that would become redundant. These issues were also discussed at the meetings of the third edition of the Global Future Councils held annually in the UAE based on the UAE’s keenness on preparing for future challenges by adopting optimistic vision and strategies to deal with these challenges”, Al Hamli said.   

Al Hamli said so during the general session of the 108^th edition of the ILC, which discussed a report by the Director General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) titled ‘Working for a Brighter Future’. The session was attended by HE Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva; HE Saif Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for Human Resources Affairs; HE Maher Hamad Al Obad, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs; HE Dr. Omar Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Communication and International Relations; and other members of the UAE delegation participating in the conference.

Al Hamli, who is heading the UAE delegation, noted that the accelerating development of the digital economy would substantially increase job seekers’ options, which are limited because they either live in remote areas or are unable to work under traditional conditions in terms of worksite and working hours.

Technological advancement, which will cause some people to lose their jobs, will at the same time create millions of new job opportunities, he added, highlighting in this connection a report issued by the ILO stating that implementing the ‘Paris Climate Agreement’ could lead to the loss of six million jobs but will at the same time create 24 million new jobs.

Al Hamli explained that easy technological communication and low costs of mobility from one country to another would enable countries with abundant workforce to find job opportunities for their citizens and at the same time contribute to filling the shortage of labor force in countries with rapid economic growth or those suffering from ageing population. “Naturally, this will continue to be dependent on our ability to formulate an integrated system for governing labour mobility among countries that will facilitate labour mobility and reduce the related costs”, he said.

In his speech, Al Hamli reviewed the national strategies related to space, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which the UAE adopted to further contribute to the global knowledge economy and create job opportunities in these sectors.

He also reviewed the ‘National Employment Strategy 2030’, which aims to achieve gender balance at work and apply new work patterns such as self-employment and remote working, noting that the UAE adopted the concept of continuous learning to qualify the workforce to deal with these accelerating changes in the world of work.

“Investing in human capital and consolidating the concept of continuous learning and training is the most secure mechanism for no one to lag behind the future of work”, he said.

Al Hamli underscored the necessity for the ILC to discuss the policies that would help governments properly play their roles under the non-traditional contracting systems created by the economy of digital platforms in terms of how to monitor proper work conditions or apply social protection systems.

Reiterating the UAE’s readiness to work with the ILO for a bright future of the world of work, Al Hamli pointed out that the ILO’s centennial anniversary is an opportunity for its member countries to renew their commitment to the principles of the Constitution of the International Labour and their pledge to achieve its noble objectives.

Meanwhile, Al Hamli met on the sidelines of the conference with Dr. Ruba Jaradat, ILO Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Arab States. The meeting was attended by HE Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva; HE Saif Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for Human Resources Affairs; HE Maher Hamad Al Obad, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs; HE Dr. Omar Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Communication and International Relations; and a number of ILO officials.

The meeting discussed a number of projects and programmes related to the future co-operation between the UAE and the ILO and how to benefit from the ILO’s technical expertise.

The UAE delegation is continuing to participate actively in the activities of the committees of the conference, which will conclude on June 21, 2019.