Press release
Sopot, 29.09.2016
The future of work. Realities, dreams and delusions
No one can escape the changes on the labour market that result from technological
advances (e.g. robotization or digitalization). Already today the labour market needs
fewer employees but has a great hunger for people with unique skills. As Martin Ford,
a futurologist and entrepreneur (USA) put it, the share of robotization will unavoidably
continue to grow and only the highly-qualified employees will be able to stay on the job
market. This inflates the precariat, a tendency that will hold strong.
According to Guy Standing from the University of London, it is not business that is responsible for
the creation of precariat. Instead, it is a direct result of the process of technological advancement
and systemic changes. We must, therefore, introduce a new system of income redistribution or
otherwise see ourselves drifting off toward nationalistic trends.
The participants of the panel discussion have all declared that one good solution towards ensuring
employee security is universal basic income. According to some, this solution may require some
additional incentives. It should also be noted that the very notion of work for pay is changing.
Housework, involvement in local communities, education or even searching for a job are also
activities that should be paid.
Michel Khalaf, President at MetLife EMEA, argued that investments in human capital are certainly
good and profitable. Employees know that they are being appreciated and this translates into better
company results. Therefore, the question is whether it is income that should be guaranteed in the
new reality, or perhaps access to instruments that will make it easier for employees to find their
way on the job market.
According to Ade McCormack, digital strategist (USA), we are not able to foresee what the concept
of work will look like in the wake of the digital tsunami that is already here. We cannot adjust the
labour market created in the industrial era by increments; instead we must be ready for a whole
new concept. We may even assume that most employees needed for this new market to function
have not even been born yet.
The current model of thinking is based on risk optimization as an indispensable element of success.
The upcoming reality will require greater curiosity and willingness to search for answers. Instead of
limiting creativity through procedures, we should be fostering it.
Such change cannot happen without opening access to education and sources of knowledge. Michał
Boni, Member of the European Parliament, addressed this issue. This is not only about access to
universities, but also about, for example, changes in copyrights, he said.
The panel discussion was moderated by Marek Tejchman, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dziennik
Gazeta Prawna.
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The European Forum for New Ideas is an international business congress attended by prominent representatives
of politics, culture, science, and media. It has been organized since 2011 by the Polish Confederation Lewiatan in
cooperation with BusinessEurope, the city of Sopot, and Polish and foreign companies and organizations. The Forum
is aimed at creating ideas for a strong Europe and a competitive economy, a Europe open to trends of social growth and
technology. This year's EFNI will be held on 28–30 September in Sopot, and its central theme is: 'The future of work.
Realities, dreams and delusions.'
More information: www.efni.pl
Honorary Patronage
Institutional Partners
Strategic Media Partners
Opening Gala Partner
Closing Gala Partner
Main Partners
Supporting Partners
Knowledge Partners
Executive Producer
European Parliament
Employers’ Group European Economic and Social Committee, European Commission
- Representation in Poland, Social Dialogue Council
Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, Onet.pl Group
Bank Pekao S.A.
MetLife
BMW Group, Citi Handlowy, Do Rzeczy, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Forbes, France
24, Intel, Newsweek, Orange Polska, Parkiet, POLITICO, Polish HR Forum, Radio
ZET, Digital Technology Employers Lewiatan
AMS, Bloomberg Businessweek Polska, Council of Family Businesses of the Polish
Confederation Lewiatan, Gazeta Wyborcza, Havas Media Group, IKEA, Liberté!,
LINKLEADERS, My Company Polska, Polish Press Agency, Puls Biznesu, Quatro Por
Quatro, Radio TOK FM, Warsaw Business Journal Observer, Union of Employers
of Automotive and Industrial Articles
Centre for International Relations, European Council on Foreign Relations, Polityka
Insight, THINKTANK, Global Compact Network Poland, World Academy of Art and
Science
IDFX
For additional information please contact:
Magdalena Słodownik
[email protected]
phone number: +48 660 426 009