By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, June 26, GNA – Mr. Joseph Yao Hotor, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said that the introduction of artificial intelligence and other technologies that lead to major job cuts would be counterproductive.
Millions of jobs have been put on the line with the increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other assistive technologies, and the Secretary-General said the Union faced “significant challenges” as entire workforces were flattened.
Mr Hotor raised the objection in a speech at the Communication Workers Union’s eighth quadrennial delegate conference in Ho, on the topic of “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Work: The Union’s Role”.
He said that while the Union appreciates the prospects of the new technology, jobs in the sector must be kept intact.
“The loss of projects and subsequent layoffs has led to a decline in our membership and difficulty organizing, particularly with remote work arrangements. American Towers Corporation, Ghana, Ericson AB, Ghana and Prime and Infrastructure Engineering have been affected.
“The union noted when metro TV laid off around 200 employees as part of restructuring efforts during the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. So, he was on TV Africa. During the period, the Union had seen several of its members laid off – a trend driven by the rapid development of technology.
“While the union fully supports technological progress, it strongly opposes the introduction of technologies that would lead to job losses and the displacement of workers,” he said.
The Secretary-General said the Union would work with stakeholders to ensure workers remain relevant over time, adding that committed investments in education and skills training should be considered by governments, trade unions and organizations as future interventions.
“It is very important for associations, industries and governments to adopt and prepare for these changes by investing in training, retraining and upgrading programmes. These will enable workers to transition into new roles and take advantage of the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and automation. These strategies are essential for a just technological transition,” he said.
Mr Hottor noted the “tireless efforts” of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to overhaul the country’s Labor Act and said provisions should be needed to regulate job shedding technologies.
It also said the Union will work with the Ministry of Communications to “explore the impact of emerging technologies and develop innovative solutions to protect and create new job opportunities, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for workers.”
Mrs. Vida Quansah, National President of the Association expressed the hope that the Conference would enable the Association to “capitalize on the benefits of existing technologies and stay ahead of the curve”.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister of Communications, in a speech read out for her, gave the assurance that the recently developed National AI Development Strategy would provide the necessary guidance and that an ethical AI framework was being designed.
Dr Yaw Baah, General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, said the AI revolution should not inspire fear and uncertainty and reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that critical labor law receives the necessary attention and support.
GNA