Future of Work

As Greece is trying to recover from a decade of economic crisis with harsh austerity policies followed by the sanitary crisis of Covid19, the employment sector is not only shrinking but also evolving rapidly. The consecutive crisis and the impact of the 4th technological revolution on both public and private sector, have increased unemployment and worsened working conditions; thus, they also put non-registered workers and socially vulnerable groups in an extremely precarious situation. In general, working and social rights have been reduced, which has become most visible in a declining impact of the trade unions and a decrease of social dialogue. Furthermore, the social divide between those who benefit from globalization and digitization and those who are left behind or are losing their job has widened. However, with timely regulation on the national and EU-level and adequate policies, technological evolution could be also used for improving working conditions, reducing inequalities, and promoting reconciliation between personal and professional life. Recognizing the need to address urgently these developments, Re-Public in cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Athens is launching the “Future of Work” project aiming to tackle the issue in an innovative way. We highlight challenges of the future of work in Greece in a holistic approach, considering not only economic but also societal factors in Greece and the European Union. To achieve this, we will include the input of a broad range of experts on how to examine and manage the fourth technological revolution: Currently public discussion focuses on the perspective of automation, robotization and the gig economy. We think the challenges of digitization must rather be seen through the eyes of citizens, workers and consumers. Our social democratic Vision of Digitization imagines digitization as a catalyst for decent work, a more just society and better w