MTI MEDAN – This year’s May Day commemoration serves as a call for the world to pay closer attention to workers’ rights and welfare in the midst of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Chairman of KSPSI AGN North Sumatra (Sumut), Tengku Muhammad Yusuf, revealed that the presence of AI has transformed the world of work at an extraordinary speed, but not without its darker sides, such as exploitation through algorithmic management, unrealistic productivity targets, and constant worker surveillance.
He reminded that the implementation of technology without consultation with workers and their unions could result in serious consequences, as has happened in various parts of the world:
*In the Philippines, Jasper Dalman, a 19-year-old delivery rider working for Foodpanda, tragically lost his life. His union, RIDERS-SENTRO, eventually won recognition and insurance rights after his death highlighted the deadly consequences of algorithmic exploitation that imposed impossible productivity targets.
*In Turkey, TikTok content moderators employed by Telus were dismissed for protesting against inhumane AI-managed workloads and trauma-inducing content.
*In the United States, nurses working through platforms face AI-controlled shift applications, which bypass worker protections and create dangerous conditions for both them and their patients.
The Chairman of KSPSI AGN North Sumatra emphasized that technology application must prioritize safety, fairness, and worker dignity by involving trade unions in the planning process. Through this, the use of AI can be designed for collective benefit rather than being used against workers.
The ITUC emphasizes the importance of:
*Full involvement of trade unions in the design and implementation of AI.
