[Futurework] the future of work (supplementary)

[Charles Brass]

What are Australia’s problems with work?   1.                   An unemployment problem             there are not enough jobs?   2.                   An overwork problem              those with jobs working longer and harder?   3.                   A spirit/soul problem              work fails to provide meaning in people's lives?   4.                  An international competitiveness problem     Australia is too isolated to be a real player in the international  economy?   5.                  An economic growth problem              we can’t get our economy moving as fast as we need to?   6.                   A gender problem              work and its structures and processes are too male  dominated?   7.                   An attitude problem             Australians are too lazy or apathetic to work as hard as we need to if we are to be competitive?   8.                   A management problem        the Karpin Report (for example) identified serious deficiencies in our managerial skills?   9.                   A population problem           we are too small to have a viable domestic economy, or to create a meaningful export economy?   10.               A measurement problem              our current measurement systems are too narrrowly focused and need to be broadened to include social capital and household and volunteer work?   11.               A vision problem             our leaders aren’t providing the visionary leadership which would identify emerging markets, products or processes?   12.               A conceptual problem           we simply don’t understand the true nature of the changes which are taking place in the world of work?   13.        A timing problem        there is no crisis, just some temporary blips which time will correct?     Solutions to Australia’s problems with work   1.       Increase economic growth growth will create jobs                                                 growth will create wealth growth will allow a better social security safety net chief proponents:          politicians and economists   2.         Increase the scope of the  ‘marketplace’ outsourcing of domestic activity has created every  industry which exists at the moment, there are still  40% of household activities to outsource so the   solution is to outsource these as well             most visible proponent:  Phil Ruthven of IBIS Business Services    3.       Mandate a shorter working week the available work could be apportioned more fairly if some people didn’t take more than their fair share   chief proponents: The Shorter Working Time Network   French and Canadian Governments Trades’ Unions   4.                 Increase Australia’s commitment to training and development if Australian workers were better educated they   would be better able to compete for the highest  paid jobs (and Australian industry would be    more internationally competitive)               chief proponents:         ANTA, ITABS and the billion dollar training industry   5.       Deregulate the labour market remove restrictions on labour flexibility and industy will invest in Australia             chief proponents:         multi national corporations         Charles Brass

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