The Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific
19 October 2017
In conjunction with Deacons Hong Kong and 13 other Asia-Pacific member law firms of the global Employment Law Alliance (ELA), Corrs Chambers Westgarth has produced a unique report on the future of work in the Asia-Pacific.
Over the last five years, the future of work has been the subject of intense debate globally. However, insufficient attention has been focused on the cumulative effects of automation, machine learning, artificial intelligence, technical innovation and the gig economy on businesses and workers in Asia-Pacific countries specifically.
Because these cumulative effects pose a long-term challenge to businesses in the region, Corrs and Deacons asked 15 ELA member law firms across the Asia-Pacific to respond to a Questionnaire examining the current and anticipated effects of AI, robotics and the rapid expansion of the ‘gig economy’ on jobs and the future of work in their jurisdiction.
The firms were also asked about the impact of the United Kingdom’s modern slavery legislation, which is emerging as another key issue given the prevalence of human trafficking and forced labour in the Asia-Pacific region.
Corrs and Deacons then compiled the member firms’ responses to the Questionnaire, creating a report entitled The Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific.
Among numerous other findings, the research unveils that the disruptive effects of new technologies and the changing approaches to work will impact not only Australia and New Zealand but every country in the Asia-Pacific – from Bangladesh and China, through to Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Disclaimer: In an earlier version of this report, Redmart and Lazada were referred to as being part of the gig economy. We understand that Redmart and Lazada do not engage freelancers, and have therefore removed references to them from the report.
The ELA member firms who contributed to The Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific are:
Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Australia), Deacons (Hong Kong), Sattar&Co (Bangladesh), JunHe (China), Trilegal (India), SSEK Legal Consultants (Indonesia), Ushijima & Partners (Japan), Kim & Chang (Korea), Shearn Delamore & Co (Malaysia), Simpson Grierson (New Zealand), SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (Philippines), Wong Partnership (Singapore), John Wilson Partners (Sri Lanka), Lee, Tsai & Partners (Taiwan) and Price Sanond Prabhas & Wynne (Thailand).
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