The project seeks also to raise awareness how the implementation of the right strategies, the digital transformation may bring about clear benefits and added value for employers and workers by providing new labour market opportunities, new ways of organising work as well as an improvement of working conditions.

The project addresses the anticipated change that comes with digital transformation, the delivery of skills needed for workers and enterprises to succeed, supports the creation of new approaches at national level to adapt labour markets, provide essential education and training, enhance the role of the social partners, and assist them in finding appropriate solutions to deal with the challenges.

The project will include various research activities, study visits, round tables, and information days, including a final conference. Dissemination of the results will be made through publications and the creation of a project website. The main target groups are representative trade union and employer organisations at EU and Member State levels as well as national and EU policy-makers.

Digital transformation of the economies and its impact on the whole spectrum of societal relations is of strategic importance for boosting economic potential, thus improving working and living conditions. The rapid invasion of technologies into the modern world brings numerous opportunities, but also raises many concerns for society at large, particularly for the world of work, where new realities need to be addressed.

The TransFormWork project will build on EU policy objectives

In its Communication A Stronger Social Еurope for Just Transitions the Commission sets out its plans for the upgrading of the European social market economy, so that it can … “fit the opportunities and challenges of today and tomorrow and ensure just transitions for all.”

The same Communication outlines the important impact of the digital economy on job opportunities and flexible work arrangements when it is states that: “It is expected that artificial intelligence and robotics alone will create almost 60 million new jobs worldwide in the next 5 years, while many jobs will change or even disappear.”

Consequently, the Commission commits to: “explore ways to promote social dialogue and collective bargaining and increase the capacity of unions and employer organisations at the EU and national levels. An effective dialogue at company level is also crucial, especially when companies are restructuring or undergoing change.”

In a separate Communication on the Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe the European Commission launched several initiatives to transform European society to boost digital skills and learning across society and to ensure that EU Member States “can face the future with confidence.”