Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Rebir, the manufacturer of portable hand held power tools will relocate its production unit to China with the loss from 1 August 2008 of 533 jobs. According to the chairman of the board Janis Zudans, it is the only way to compete with other manufacturers in the sector who already have moved their production units to China.Around 300 employees will remain at the Rebirs factory in Rezekne, who will continue to manufacture specialized instruments, and work on retail and technical issues.The Rezekne branch of the state employment agency is concerned that it will be very hard for dismissed employees to find new jobs in the region. The average number of registered vacancies in the city is about 100. The chairman of the board also regretted that there is no any state assistance for enterprise, considering that Rebir exports 96% of its production.
Eurofound (2008), Rebir, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Latvia, factsheet number 68258, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/68258.