The Future of Work

The ASEAN region could face considerable degrees of technological disruptions due to the concentration of labour-intensive manufacturing and services sectors that are characterized with tasks that can be replaced with automation, other digital technologies available today and technologies promised in the near future. As ASEAN continues to develop and strategize for sustained growth, it is critical for employers, government, workers and key stakeholders to take into account the impact of technology on workplaces as a centre piece to their policy discussions and to actively prepare and respond to changes taking place at the national level. In addition, constructive engagement between social partners and education and training institutions is critical so that the future workforce has access to meaningful employment.

Upcoming media launch of ASEAN regional report

ASEAN in Transformation: How technology is changing enterprises and jobs Date: 7 July 2016 Time: 9:30-11:30 Where: Mandarin Orchard, Singapore Type: Report launch Organized by: Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) ILO and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF)

Background

The world of work is undergoing a major process of change. There are several forces transforming it, from the onward march of technology and the impact of climate change to the changing character of production and employment, to name a few. In order to understand and to respond effectively to these new challenges ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has launched a "Future of Work initiative”.

In line with this initiative, the Bureau for Employers’ Activities in Asia-Pacific is launching a report on the impact of technology on key labour intensive and growth sectors in ASEAN entitled: ASEAN in Transformation: How technology is changing jobs and enterprises. The report brings together primary data collected through an ASEAN-wide survey of enterprises (over 4000 responses) and students (over 2,700 responses), over 300 qualitative interviews, and extensive validation and expert consultation.

The report offers an in-depth exploration of three manufacturing sectors: the automotive and auto parts; electrical and electronics; and textile, clothing and footwear; and two service sectors: business process outsourcing and retail, to show how each sector is likely to be impacted by technology uptake. As a supplement to this master report, five additional separate reports will be published as part of the ASEAN in Transformation series:

• The future of jobs at risk of automation in ASEAN
• Perspectives of enterprises and students on future work
• Automotive and auto-parts – Shifting gears
• Electrical and electronics – On and off the grid
• Textile, clothing and footwear – Refashioning the future

Programme for media brief

The media and executive briefing will be held on 7 July at the Mandarin Orchard, Singapore, in partnership with the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). It will present the key findings of the report to approximately 100 CEO’s and senior executives from across the region along with international and regional media outlets.

09:00 – 09:30	Registration: Coffee and breakfast
09:30 – 09:45	Opening: - Dr Robert Yap, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) President
09:45 – 10:15	Report presentation: ASEAN in transformation: How technology is changing jobs and enterprises - Mr Gary Rynhart and Ms Jae-Hee Chang, ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities
10:15 – 10:30	Media Q&A
10:30 – 11:15	Panel discussion: - Dr Robert Yap, Executive Chairman of YCH Group - Jagadish CV, CEO of Systems of Silicon Manufacturing - Ms Deborah France-Massin, Director of ILO - Moderator: TBC The panel – composed of senior business executives from key manufacturing and services sectors - will look at the following questions followed by a Q&A: - Broadly speaking how is (and has) technology impacting your sector and your business? What sort of future do you see for jobs and business given technological advancement? - Looking to the future, what are some of the key changes that ASEAN needs to make to ensure it remains on the path the further economic growth and development? In particular, how will your workforce requirements change? - What is one key opportunity and threat that technology brings to your business, sector and the region?
11:15 – 11:30	Closing Ms Deborah France-Massin, Director of ILO