The future of work could bring more inequality, social tensions

A robot developed by automation parts maker Omron picks an item from a shelf during a demonstration at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo. — AFP Relaxnews

Automation, robots and globalisation are rapidly changing the workplace and governments must act fast and decisively to counter the effects or face a worsening of social and economic tensions, the OECD warned. 

Almost half of all jobs could be wiped out or radically altered in the next two decades due to automation, the Paris-based group said in a report on April 23. According to OECD Labour Director Stefano Scarpetta, the pace of change will be “startling”.