ASEAN in transformation: How technology is changing jobs and enterprises

The ILO-Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) together with the Singapore National Employers Federation will hold a media and executive briefing on ASEAN in transformation: How technology is changing jobs and enterprises. The meeting brings together 100 CEOs and senior executives from across the region along with international and regional media outlets.

Overview

New and advanced developments in technology are transpiring at an increasingly rapid rate. ACT/EMP’s research on ASEAN in transformation: How technology is changing jobs and enterprises explores the technological impacts felt by enterprises and people of the ten Member States that form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The research analyses the impact of technology on key labour intensive and growth sectors in ASEAN, bringing together primary data collected through an ASEAN-wide survey of enterprises (over 4,000 responses) and students (over 2,700 responses), over 330 qualitative interviews, and extensive validation and expert consultation.

The study explores three manufacturing sectors: the automotive and auto parts; electrical and electronics; and textiles, 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. In addition to this report, five in-depth separate papers form part of the ASEAN in transformation series:

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, the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder launched the "Future of Work initiative”.

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, workers and their representative organizations, government, 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.