The G20 Maceió Ministerial Declaration on Digital Inclusion for All highlights several key labor-related aspects within the context of digital inclusion and the future digital economy:
1. Digital Literacy and Skills Development: Acknowledges the necessity of digital literacy and skills to empower individuals for personal, educational, and professional development. Equipping people with digital capabilities is crucial for enabling full participation in the digital economy, with a particular focus on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
2. Gender Digital Divide: Reaffirms the commitment to reducing the gender digital divide by half by 2030, stressing that achieving digital equity requires addressing disparities in access to digital tools and opportunities for women and girls.
3. Employment and Economic Empowerment: Recognizes the potential of digital technologies, including AI, to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and foster inclusive sustainable development. The transformative power of digital technologies can uplift societies, particularly those in developing countries and vulnerable populations.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Workforce Inclusion: AI is seen as a tool to combat inequalities and foster inclusive development. The declaration emphasizes the need for responsible AI governance that reduces bias and promotes diverse sociocultural and geographical representation, thus preventing discriminatory outcomes in the workplace.
5. Digital Infrastructure and Jobs: Calls for inclusive financing mechanisms to bridge the digital infrastructure gap, which is essential for improving digital access, generating economic opportunities, and fostering job creation.
6. Cross-border Data Flows and Innovation: Highlights the importance of cross-border data sharing to drive innovation and business opportunities, which can facilitate job creation and entrepreneurship in digital sectors.
7. Protection of Workers’ Rights in the Digital Economy: Stresses the importance of protecting privacy, personal data, and human rights in the digital economy, ensuring that digital transformation occurs without discrimination and with adequate safeguards for workers.
These elements underscore the significance of digital inclusion for improving workforce participation, reducing inequalities, and fostering a globally inclusive digital economy.