Distinguished Chairperson, Director-General, delegates,
The International Young Christian Workers welcomes the Director-General’s report on artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of work.
The report reminds us that AI is not neutral, we are reminded that the impact it has will depend on the choices we make as societies. Technology is deepening the inequality and insecurity, but it should contribute to decent work and human dignity.
As a movement of young workers from all over the world, we are deeply concerned that many young people are already entering a labour market marked by precarity, informality and uncertainty. We see AI and digitalization worsening this situation while workers are excluded from decision-making.
The report correctly highlights that young workers are especially vulnerable because many entry-level jobs are exposed to automation. For many young people, these jobs are not simply tasks, they are the first step toward stability, skills and dignity.
We would like to share the reality of Erson, a 31-year-old worker from Bandung, Indonesia.
“Before the pandemic, Erson managed a small printing business. But unstable income and the economic crisis pushed him into bankruptcy.
In 2023, he joined a ride-sharing platform as a driver. To work, he first had to buy a motorcycle through instalment payments because he could not afford one.
Today, he works from early morning until late at night and often throughout the night just to earn less than 5 US dollars a day. He waits long hours for bookings while competing with other digital platforms and facing traffic, extreme heat, and heavy rain.
The platform claims that drivers are independent. But in reality, the AI algorithm controls access to work. Drivers who cannot afford to buy the company uniform are given lower priority for bookings. Despite working excessive hours, Erson has no social protection, no insurance, no social security, and no employment benefits”
His story reflects the reality faced by many young workers in the platform economy. Behind digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence are human beings struggling for survival, dignity, and their recognition.
Technological advancements must remain human-centred. It must support workers, not replace their dignity, their autonomy and most of all, their humanity.
Therefore, the International Young Christian Workers calls on the ILO, governments, employers and workers’ organizations to take concrete action.
First, we call for stronger regulation of platform work and algorithmic management to ensure transparency, accountability and protection of workers’ rights.
Second, we call for universal social protection systems that include platform workers, informal workers and young workers in non-standard employment.
Third, we call for investment in accessible education, digital literacy and lifelong learning so that technological transformation does not leave behind workers from poorer communities and countries.
Fourth, we call for meaningful participation of workers, especially young workers, in shaping AI policies and workplace technologies through social dialogue and collective bargaining.
And finally, we call on Governments, employers & on the international community, to ensure that AI and Algorithms are regulated. So it protects those who use it, and those who may be affected by it, ensuring social justice, solidarity and decent work for all, rather than perpetuating inequality between and within countries.
The future of work must not be decided only by markets, AI or algorithms.
It must be shaped democratically, with workers at the centre.
As our founder said “Every young worker, is worth more than all the Gold in the world”.
Thank you.
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