Dutch politicians lack a vision on the increasing robotisation in society. Twenty scientists argue this in a fire letter to politicians. The scientists fear that the new coalition will not respond to the robot society in time after the election.
RTL News reported on the letter last weekend, which begins with a prediction of the number of jobs that will be taken over by robots. "How many jobs will disappear in the next 20 years, 5, 10 or even 30 per cent, we do not know exactly. What is clear, however, is that our work will change beyond recognition and permanently. Some 60 per cent of all jobs may qualify for partial robotisation and automation at the task level," the letter reads.
Robots in logistics
The scientists highlight the impact of robots on the logistics sector. "Robots are excellent at getting around in orderly and controllable environments, such as manufacturing plants and distribution centres. [...]. Self-driving vehicles will insert themselves into logistics." These developments will lead to a division in society, according to the letter writers. "Although the work of higher educated people will also come into play, where routine work is concerned, it is certain that people with middle and lower education will be especially vulnerable. This will further sharpen the dichotomy in society, especially if these people can no longer find other work."
Robot Agenda
The letter states that robots can also offer opportunities. Whether robots become a curse or a blessing depends on politics. The scientists feel that political parties give low priority to keeping robotisation on track. "There is an urgent need to invest in an ambitious but also very practical robot agenda. Awareness, training and up-skilling, up-skilling and retraining are essential. All schoolchildren, students, jobseekers and workers will have to be given the opportunity to prepare for the consequences and new possibilities of robotisation. This can best be organised together with companies and institutions, such as in healthcare. Agreements can be made about this in collective agreements and in the region."
'It won't work itself out'
RTL News took stock of the parties' programmes and concluded that most of the major parties lack a concrete vision on robotisation. Trade unions and employers have now backed the scientists' open letter. Speaking to RTL Nieuws, employers' organisation VNO-NCW and trade unions CNV stated that they too are very concerned about a missing political vision. Politicians should not assume that things will work themselves out, the organisations argue. "You have to respond to robotisation and digitalisation, and the best way to do that is to lead the way. If you don't, you will be caught off guard by other countries that are leading the way," said trade union CNV.
Read the full version of the open letter here.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
