Digitalisation has arrived, bringing with it a tidal wave of change that’s sweeping through every corner of the EU’s economy and labour markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this process, and the impacts are profound. From the workplace to working conditions, the content of work, and the skills required, everything is being transformed by the rise of new technologies and new ways of working.

And it’s not just the digital revolution that’s causing upheaval. The green transition towards a carbon-neutral economy is also high on the agenda at both Union and Member State levels, and it’s set to have a huge impact on the economy. This shift will alter labour market constellations and work outside of the labour market, such as care work. There’s also the question of whether the labour market of the future will be faced with a non-growing economy.

But these two transitions won’t occur in isolation. There are also existing challenges regarding work, such as demographic change, gender inequalities, migration, and wage inequalities. All of these factors are converging to create a complex web of challenges that need to be tackled head-on.

That’s where our panel comes in. We’ll be discussing how the simultaneous digital and sustainability transformations will influence employment and work in the EU, and which policy measures can help achieve a just transition. We’ll be looking at ways to ensure that the twin transition goes along with less, rather than more inequality. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead!

Speakers:

• Frank Siebern-Thomas, Head of Fair, Green, and Digital Transitions, Research Unit, DG EMPL (TBC)

• Halliki Kreinin, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Coordinator, EU 1.5° Lifestyles, University of Münster

• Isabelle Barthes, Deputy General Secretary, IndustriAll Europe

Moderator :

• Katy Wiese, Senior Policy Officer, European Environmental Bureau