This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
The Future of Work: A Human-Centred Approach ¶
As technology continues to transform the job market, the future of work is at a crossroads. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has recommended a human-centred approach to ensure decent work and fair globalisation.
According to the ILO, by 2022, more than half of employees will have to upskill or reskill, meaning that many workers will have to either gain additional expertise relating to their positions or learn brand new skills entirely.
Created in 1919, in the aftermath of the First World War, the ILO is commemorating 100 years of championing decent work and fair globalisation. In many African countries, informal economies translate to 66 per cent of the total employment throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr. Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of COTU (K), has emphasized the need for organisations to redesign their enterprises to be people-centered, characterised by social justice within the workplace, democratic control, and prioritising human development.
As we remould and reshape to align with this new development, we should measure and instil gender parity, human dignity, better prospects for personal development, and social integration, among others.
Mr. Atwoli has also stressed the importance of organisations matching workers' skills with the future needs of the labour market, and engaging in continuous and personalised learning that allows individuals to design their own learning journey.
Kenya should substantially increase the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
Without decisive action, we will be sleepwalking into a world that widens the gender gap, promotes child labour, and increases human unfairness in the world of work.
Mr. Francis Atwoli is the Secretary General of COTU (K).
