Union Urges Collaboration to Safeguard Jobs in the Face of Technological Advancements
At the eighth quadrennial delegates conference of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in Ho, Mr. Joseph Yao Hotor, the General Secretary, voiced strong opposition to the widespread adoption of AI and other technologies that lead to significant job cuts. The conference, themed “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Work: The Role of the Union,” highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the union amidst the rapid technological advancements.
Mr. Hotor emphasized the union’s concerns over job losses due to AI and automation, stating, “The loss of projects and resulting redundancies have led to a decline in our membership and difficulty in organizing, particularly with remote work arrangements.” He pointed out the substantial layoffs in various companies, including American Towers Corporation, Ghana, Ericsson AB, Ghana, and Prime and Infrastructure Engineering. The shift from analogue to digital broadcasting had also led to considerable job losses at media houses like Metro TV and TV Africa.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of technological progress, Mr. Hotor underscored the necessity of preserving jobs within the sector. He stressed that the union would not support technologies that result in worker displacement and called for collaborative efforts to ensure workers’ relevance in the evolving landscape. He advocated for committed investments in education and skills training by governments, worker unions, and organizations to facilitate a smooth transition for workers into new roles created by AI and automation.
“It is very crucial for unions, industries, and governments to adopt and prepare for these changes by investing in education, retraining, and upskilling programs. These would enable workers to transition into new roles and take advantage of the opportunities presented by AI and automation,” Mr. Hotor stated. He highlighted the union’s continuous collaboration with stakeholders to protect jobs and create new opportunities, ensuring a secure future for workers.
Madam Vida Quansah, National Chairperson of the Union, expressed optimism that the conference would position the union to harness the benefits of existing technologies and stay ahead of industry changes. Additionally, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Communications Minister, in a speech read on her behalf, assured that the recently developed National AI Development Strategy would provide necessary guidance, complemented by an ethical AI framework in the making.
Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, emphasized that the AI revolution should not instill fear and uncertainty. He affirmed the union’s commitment to ensuring that the crucial labor law would receive the needed attention and support to accommodate the evolving technological landscape.