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Protecting workers: What role for agile solutions?

24-10-2019

Protecting workers: What role for agile solutions?

Over the last decades, the world of work has changed dramatically. While the traditional career model is fading, self-employment and ‘gig’ working is becoming more commonplace and mobility across industries and geographies is increasing.

One of the factors driving changes in how people work is the introduction of new technologies and digitalisation, which have changed firms’ modus operandi, thereby challenging workers’ skills. The types of skills needed to keep up with technological advancements are increasing, and becoming increasingly complex. This has clear consequences for the workforce.

A global study* looking at different categories - age, gender, job type - sheds light on some important themes like technology anxiety, financial planning, and knowledge and ownership of relevant protection mechanisms. Several key findings emerged:

1) Women and routine manual workers are more vulnerable to the changing world of work.
2) Having a comfortable retirement emerges as the top global financial worry.
3) Job instability is as likely to be voluntary as involuntary.
4) Younger millennials seem financially conservative – but aren't buying protection.
5) Attitudes towards technology’s effects on national labour markets don't seem to differ by age.

EURACTIV invites you to this Stakeholder Workshop to discuss the need for flexible solutions in protecting tomorrow’s changing workforce. Questions will include:

- Why do workers need to be (more) agile?
- Who are the most vulnerable to the changing world of work?
- Who should be responsible for the social protection of workers?
- What role does insurance play in individuals’ long-term planning for an uncertain financial future?

*Perceptions on protection: Surveying workers to build new agile solutions. (A global study of behaviours by Zurich and the University of Oxford to identify the most vulnerable groups in rapidly changing work environment.)

Supported by:

Location

Euractiv Network Office
Boulevard Charlemagne 1, 1041 Brussels

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Panellists

Bettina Kromen, Deputy Head of Unit, Modernisation of Social Protection Systems, DG EMPL, European Commission
Franca Salis-Madinier, Vice President, Single Market Observatory, European Economic and Social Committee; National Secretary, French Democratic Confederation of Labour
Tilman Hengevoss, Head Public Affairs, EMEA Region, Zurich
Gordon Clark, Senior Consultant and Emeritus Professor, University of Oxford

Moderator

Beatriz Ríos, Reporter, Economy & Jobs, EURACTIV

Schedule

12:00 – 12:30 Registration & Networking lunch
12:30 – 13:00 Opening statements
13:00 – 14:00 Discussion and Q&A

Contact

Teresa Dominguez
teresa.dominguez@euractiv.com
+32 (0) 2 788 36 93

Related article

Make the digital transition fair as well, experts warn

Make the digital transition fair as well, experts warn

The world of work is changing dramatically as a consequence of the digital transformation, while the social protection systems are often not added to the new realities of the labour market, experts warned during an event hosted by EURACTIV.

The post Make the digital transition fair as well, experts warn appeared first on Euractiv.

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