The future of work in the digital economy

Paper prepared for the Employment Working Group meeting under the 2020 Russian presidency of the BRICS

This background paper provides an overview of the opportunities that some transformative technologies present for improving access to labour markets and ensuring decent work. It considers the manner in which new technologies can improve the effectiveness of labour market intermediation services, the role that digital platforms play in facilitating participation in labour markets, and the opportunities these technologies hold for reinforcing efforts of labour administrations to ensure strategic compliance with labour regulations. It further includes consideration of the opportunities that lie ahead to mitigate some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment and incomes, and ensuring decent work. The paper concludes with policy options to leverage the opportunities presented by transformative technologies.