By Blessing Bature
Professor Francis C. Anyim of the University of Lagos has emphasized the urgent need for tripartite partners, comprising government, employers and workers in Africa to embrace the digitalisation of work.
The professor of Employment Relations and Human Resources made the call while delivering a keynote address in Abuja during the launch of a book, titled ‘The Tripartite: Understanding the interplay between Workers, Employers and Government,’ written by award winning journalist, Sharon O’ Ijasan
In the keynote address titled “The Future of Work: Are the Tripartite Body in Africa Ready for the Digital Economy and Its Realities,” professor Anyim highlighted the transformative power of technology in reshaping the world of work, especially as automation, remote working, and digital tools become integral to modern business operations.
He underscored the fact that globalisation, advancements in technology, and shifts in work patterns demand new skill sets and adaptability from both employers and employees.
He urged social partners—governments, employers, and workers—to prepare for these changes by ensuring that their workforces are equipped with the necessary digital literacy and technological proficiency.
He noted that traditional work processes, often characterized by physical paperwork and analogue methods, must transition into digital formats to remain competitive.
“The workplace of the future demands not only technical skills but also abilities such as perseverance, self-direction, teamwork, and collaboration in virtual environments,” Anyim said.
Professor Anyim pointed out that while digitalisation offers numerous advantages such as improved efficiency and flexibility, it also poses challenges, particularly around job displacement.
Nonetheless, he stressed the importance of not being left behind, urging stakeholders in Africa’s tripartite system to embrace these technological innovations while balancing the needs of both employers and employees.
The event also explored the changing nature of work, with discussions on remote work, flexible work arrangements, and the emergence of virtual workspaces. Anyim pointed out that these shifts are part of a larger global trend toward non-standard work arrangements such as part-time and contract work, which allow for more flexibility in how and where work is performed.
While noting that Africa has made strides toward digitalisation, the professor said that there is still much work to be done.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said, “but with the right focus and preparation, Africa can successfully navigate the transition to a digital economy.”
Also speaking, Author of the Book, Sharon Ijasan said the motivation behind the book is essentially to ensure that the Tripartite partners take cognizance that the world of work is growing and dynamic in nature.
” There are emerging jobs that are new to the previous work structure we have, thus the terms and conditions of services are not spelt out.
“But for us young people to organise and ensure that we have a proper safety and social net when we retire, there is a need for us to know where we are coming from, where we are and where we are heading to,” she said.
The event brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, employers, and workers, all of whom acknowledged the significance of digitalisation in shaping the future of work. The discussion marked a critical step in ensuring that African employers and employees are prepared to thrive in the digital age.