38 www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com


“Take redundancy – if a business is doing well and invests in technology and this results in roles being replaced, the law as it stands would not necessarily provide protection. If I were to lose a job to a robot, I may be unlikely to receive a redundancy payment.” Another potential issue she mentions is that of tax revenues: if workforce numbers fall, then Treasury income will be reduced while benefit payments may rise. One answer to this may be a Robot


Tax to offset the losses. “What is clear is that as the shape of our workforces changes over time, the law must keep pace if employees are to be protected.” Ruth Dukes, Professor of Labour Law at the University of Glasgow, believes that the effects of technology are likely to be complex and far reaching. “It may not mean fewer jobs, but rather a change in the scope of work and a worsening of conditions.” There are instances, she says, where using manual labour is now cheaper than the cost of mechanisation, as workers are often low


Professor Ruth Dukes


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