Why in the News?

Major tech firms are rapidly adopting AI including generative AI, enhancing customer interactions and workplace efficiency, but concerns about its impact on workers persist.

About Workplace Automation

• Meaning: It is the useof technology such as AI, Machine Learning, Augmented Reality, etc., to perform tasks and processes with minimal human intervention. 
• India and Automation: India's Industrial Automation Market Growth is expected to reach $29.43 bn by FY2029.  
  • Key drivers for Workplace Automation in India: Accelerating digitalisation and technological Innovation, changing customer expectation, enhanced competition, rising labour costs, Ageing population, etc.

What are the social benefits associated with the Workplace Automation?

• Bridging skill-job gap and workforce productivity: AI-driven systems and algorithmic management assign tasks based on skills and availability, improving productivity. Identifies gaps and helps target upskilling efforts.
• Promoting Gender Equity and diversity at workplace: Automation can reduce biases in hiring and performance evaluation, supporting diversity efforts and promoting social mobility.
• Safer Workplaces: Machines take over hazardous and physically demanding tasks.
• Enhanced work-life Balance: Automation of routine work allows employees more personal time. Less repetitive work decreases mental fatigue and burnout. Thus, employees can do strategic, creative, and decision-making roles.
• Improved Customer Service: Greater consistency, faster responses, and improved access and affordability of customer experience.

What Are the Social Challenges Associated with Workplace Automation?

• Rising Income Inequality
  • Wage Polarization and job losses: High-skilled workers benefit more from automation, while low-skilled workers face job losses or stagnant wages. 
    • Automation is expected to create 69 million new jobs, whereas 83 million jobs will become obsolete by 2027 (WEF).
  • Barriers to Reskilling: Unequal access to digital literacy and training programs may deepen existing socio-economic divides.
  • Gender Disparities in Employment: Automation tends to replace low skilled jobs like clerical and secretarial roles where female works have higher representation. 
    • Thus, without targeted reskilling and support, automation could further reduce job opportunities for women. 
  • Gig Workers and Job Insecurity: Automation may encourage short-term contracts and reduce job stability, especially in platform-based gig economies. 
    • Gig workers often lack organizational support and protection when working with automated systems.
• Mental Health and Well-being: Continuous monitoring and algorithmic control (e.g., keystroke tracking, real-time surveillance) can increase stress and reduce autonomy, leading to digital fatigue and burnout.
  • The pressure to stay constantly connected negatively impacts work-life balance and overall mental health.
• Decline in Human Oversight and Judgment: Excessive dependence on automated systems may erode human intervention, create misjudgements, or safety failures when systems malfunction.
  • There is also anticipation that automation may also gradually reduce human decision-making in critical areas such as healthcare.

Way Ahead to Ensure Inclusive, Safe, and Equitable Workplace Automation

• Ensuring Income Equity 
  • Universal Social Security: Recognize job loss due to automation under labour laws. Extend social security to informal, gig, and contract workers most vulnerable to automation.
    • Code on Social Security, 2020 aims to extend social security benefits to all workers both in the organised and unorganised sectors.
    • Industrial Relations Code, 2020 has a provision for worker reskilling fund for re-skilling the retrenched workers by crediting fifteen days' wages last drawn by the worker.
  • Foster Equitable Automation: Bridge the Gender Automation Gap through inclusive policies and targeted upskilling. 
• Strengthen Legal and Policy Frameworks to facilitate safe and healthy workplace 
  • Update Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Laws: Include gig workers, teleworkers, and platform workers under workplace safety laws.
    • Align the law with the 1981 ILO Convention No. 155 (OSH Convention) and the 2006 Convention No. 187 (Promotional Framework for OSH) to ensure the right to a safe and healthy workplace in the digital era.
  • Revise Regulations on Robotics & Human-Robot Interaction: Introduce clear safety norms and protocols for collaborative environments.
  • Enshrine the Right to Disconnect: Prevent overwork and digital burnout by regulating after-hours work expectations.
• Promote Human-Centric Algorithmic Management: Ensure algorithmic management tools are transparent, ethical, and subject to human oversight.
  • Establish clear grievance redress systems for workers affected by automated decision-making.
  • Incorporate worker feedback in system design to maintain trust and reduce psychological stress.
• Prioritize Awareness: Conduct awareness campaigns about digital rights, mental health, and emerging risks.
• Ensure Environmental Sustainability: Promote green automation that contributes to environmental sustainability and long-term resilience.

Conclusion

A collaborative, worker-centric, and forward-looking approach is essential to ensure that workplace automation enhances rather than undermines safety, equity, and well-being. With the right balance of technology, policy, and participation, automation can lead to more sustainable, inclusive, and humane workplaces.