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.
Tecnomessapia, a subcontractor of the aerospace company Leonardo, announced 177 dismissals at its plant of Ceglie Messapica (Brindisi).
The company announced the decision following the interruption of its only order, for the manufacturing of aircraft components for Leonardo.
Redundancies will affect the whole workforce, composed of 49 blue-collar workers, 24 clerks and 4 middle managers.
Negotiations with unions are ongoing at the Ministry of Economic Development’s premises. There is hope that the short-time working scheme already in place at the company can be extended, should the company identify new possible orders over the next weeks.
Update 20/07/2017: Unions and the management reached an agreement. The company will make use of short-time working schemes in order to avoid dismissals and prosecute production. At the same time, the parties, including Leonardo and public authorities, committed to implement measures aimed at safeguarding redundant workers.
Eurofound (2017), Tecnomessapia , Closure in Italy, factsheet number 91532, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/91532.