The relentless march of global trade, turbocharged by automation and artificial intelligence, is eroding the very foundation of workers’ rights and job security. The World Trade Organization has sounded the alarm, warning that without urgent action, the benefits of trade will remain lopsided, leaving millions in precarious employment while capital reaps the rewards.
The International Labour Organization projects global unemployment to swell by 3 million, reaching 208 million, as the global economy struggles to create quality jobs. This “global jobs gap”now at 473 million—underscores the scarcity of decent work.
Kalleberg’s research reveals a surge in temporary, low-wage, and informal employment, stripping workers of benefits and security. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this fragility, with youth and low-skilled labor hit hardest.
WTO reports show that while global exports could jump 40 % by 2040 thanks to AI, the gains are not automatic. Low-income economies may see only modest income growth unless digital infrastructure and reskilling programs are prioritized.
Excluding unions from trade negotiations has led to exploitative conditions, unsafe workplaces, and suppressed wages. The ILO warns that without labour clauses in trade agreements, millions face poverty-level earnings and child labor.
Global trade can be a force for shared prosperity, but only if labour is treated as a partner, not a commodity. The time to act is now—before job insecurity becomes a permanent global crisis.
