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.
On 14 November 2014, the American automotive company TRW announced its intention to close the plant located in Livorno due to the ongoing crisis in the sector, dismissing 450 employees. However, TRW confirmed its intention to invest in its other Italian plants. Investments will amount to more than EUR 8 million in 2015.
Notice of the closure has been given in the last weeks. In reply, workers occupied the headquarters of the General Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria) during a meeting between trade unions and the management. Workers also gathered outside the territorial Government offices in protest.
The company seems determined to close by the end of the year to favour workers. From 1 January 2015, the duration of mobility allowance will be reduced according to Law n. 92/12 (the so-called Monti-Fornero reform). Redundant employees will also benefit economic incentives.
White and Blue-Collar Metalworkers Federation (Fiom), the metalworkers union affiliated to Italian General Confederation of Labour (Cgil), considers as 'unacceptable' the company decision. Also the institutions expressed concerns about the lay-offs. Meetings are scheduled in the next weeks in order to find a different solution.
The number of lay-offs also includes the 105 redundancies announced by the company on 14 November 2012 (See: TRW AutomotiveIT-2012).
Eurofound (2014), TRW Automotive, Closure in Italy, factsheet number 77901, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/77901.