Perspectives from developing countries - It’s the End of the work as we know It (and I feel fine)!

Mark Graham, Amel Saidane, Dorothy Gordon, Richard David Precht In the upcoming years, the increasing automation of tasks will most likely cost hundreds of thousands of jobs, disrupting major industries. Developing countries will be especially affected by the digital transformation of work. At the same time, more and more people enter the job market and turn online to find jobs, as the offline market is less promising. Here, job seekers in developing countries compete on a global virtual job market for short term freelance work. To date, binding international agreements on labour rights and social security are missing. The cheaper, the better – no chance to complain. BUT: The digital economy will also create new job profiles and entire new industries that are beyond todays imagination. It will open new markets and provide higher wages compared to local jobs in developing countries. Online platforms promise more objectivity, inclusivity and flexibility to everyone who is connected and has access to the job market from anywhere in the world. Yes, digital transformation changes how people live and work in developing countries. It truly is the end of the work as we know it. So how can we ensure that developing countries will be fine? Is it enough to provide access and digital literacy skills? We want to leverage partnerships and prepare governments to react to these disrupting megatrends. The time to act is now and we are all in charge!