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Technology Means Less Work
Due to the sort of changes taking place in contemporary technology, more processes are being automated, thereby requiring less labour. This time the change is not simply the move away from labour-intensive to capital-intensive techniques. Even in already capital-intensive businesses, the requirement of labour is fast decreasing. It is all due to the adoption of computer-based and internet-aided production, and distribution processes. Application-based (or app-based) technology is a case in point.
Due to the sort of changes taking place in contemporary technology, more processes are being automated, thereby requiring less labour. This time the change is not simply the move away from labour-intensive to capital-intensive techniques. Even in already capital-intensive businesses, the requirement of labour is fast decreasing. It is all due to the adoption of computer-based and internet-aided production, and distribution processes. Application-based (or app-based) technology is a case in point. It has already made its inroads in urban areas—from booking cabs to paying utility bills. E-commerce is another instance. It is true that other kinds of jobs have emerged, like that of delivery boys, but the net addition to jobs is not going to be positive. Such technological changes come as a boon for some developed countries, where labour is scarce. But it spells disaster for labour-surplus poor countries of the world.
Ketan K Shah
AHMEDABAD
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