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.
The Dutch provider of taxi services, Bestax, based in Amersfoort (west Netherlands) and specialising mainly in the transportation of pupils, persons in wheelchairs and sick people, has filed for bankruptcy and the dismissal of all 150 employees. The bankruptcy followed a long struggle during which prices came under high pressure from municipalities and parents in pupil transportation, and from competition of municipalities and health insurance companies for tenders for the transportation of persons with health problems.
Bestax lost some large tenders to companies offering the lowest prices, while the costs for vehicles and personnel could not be adjusted. The union CNV has called it a sad concurrence of adverse circumstances. For the time being, the taxi drivers continue to work while the Public Employment Services pays their salaries, as the fiduciary tries to find a buyer for the company. Bestax is part of the family-owned transportation company Besseling, which further operates touring cars, offers courier services, and has a maintenance garage.
Eurofound (2017), Bestax, Bankruptcy in Netherlands, factsheet number 92471, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/92471.