Work in the Digital Economy

The digital economy has changed the rules of the game for all stakeholders in the labour market. Countries in the global south like Nigeria need to not only recognize the new rules but use them to their advantage.

Written by Marie Ehinomen

Sep 18, 2019

WIPO

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has kept the world in anticipation of the next big thing. With each technological breakthrough, the world moves one step closer to a future where robots and automation will be applied to as many spheres of life as possible. While this is undoubtedly geared to improve economic output, many fear that these ‘disruptions’ will lead to a future of joblessness. Indeed, manufacturing jobs are already vanishing in developed countries and for countries like Nigeria, it is only a matter of time before the same outcome starts to happen.

As well as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, another issue that has the world in its thralls, are the digital platforms that enable what we have come to know as the Gig Economy. This is where it is commonplace for independent contractors with short-term contracts to occupy temporary positions in a variety of different organizations, with different employers, often concurrently. The digital skills market is growing at an exponential rate and is radicalizing traditional concepts of work, with digital platforms and marketplaces that enable the gig economy and make more imminent its implications on the future of work.

While the fears outlined earlier exist, there are those, however, who welcome the expansion of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They look forward to a future where mechanizable jobs would be taken over by AI and automation, freeing up professionals to engage in more important tasks that require innovation and creativity, whilst increasing production to meet the rising demands of a growing global population. For instance, certain manual and routine tasks in law firms like reviewing agreements and writing search reports would become automated thereby leaving specialized tasks like client briefing, case analysis, consultation etc for legal personnel to handle thereby increasing productivity and reducing redundancy.

From the perspective of the labour market, Nigeria can prepare for the inevitable effects of automation and artificial intelligence that comes from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This should be done through a focus on the new structure of labour, the virtual freelance workplace and on the need to reform traditional labour laws to address the unique challenges faced by this subsector.

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About the Author

Marie Ehinomen

is a lawyer based in Nigeria.

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Work in the Digital Economy