By Eberechi Obinagwam
With the high impact of technology, employers have been asked not to lay-off workers but ensure healthy balance by enroling them on training that will help them master new technology.
National President of the Association of Senior Staff Of Banks, Insurance And Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, who spoke at the 2019 world day for decent work celebration in Lagos, tagged, “Threat to Job Security and Work-life Balance in Digitalized Work environment – the legal perspective,” explained that even with the high technology employers are adopting, they will still need somebody to operate the machine, hence the need for workers.
She, therefore, encouraged employees to improve on their competence level for productivity, and advised employers to ensure a healthy balance to their workers.
She stated that the theme is to examine the impact of ICT tools, robots, automated machines and artificial intelligence on work life balance and occupational hazards.
Also, the National President of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, said: “As technology becomes more fine tuned and widespread, where factories and warehouses are already being run without human supervision, we don’t need a prophet to tell us the implication of this development. Everyone wants job security, unfortunately jobs are under constant threat from a variety of sources.”
However, he urged employers to promote work-life balance in the office without compromising productivity or efficiency by encouraging employees with training, workshops, and education.
“The fast rise of social media and new technologies can render everyone’s knowledge base quickly outdated. Help employees master new tech by supporting training and workshops..”
He stated that work – life balance is critical as it gives a feeling of a greater sense of control and ownership over their own lives.
He added that the objective of World Decent day is to fight for decent jobs, gender equality and struggle against other vices that may violate human dignity.