Members of the public are invited to a panel discussion on the ‘New world of work’, planned for today at the Liguanea Club from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Lecturer in sociology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, and talk-show host Dr Orville Taylor will host the discussion, which is one of the main activities to mark National Workers’ Week.

Among the topics to be explored is whether globalisation and the digital revolution have treated workers kindly.

“The discussion seeks to underscore the point that for human development to take place, it is critical that there is balance,” said Marva Pringle Ximinnies, director of the Child Labour Unit at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MOLSS) and member of the National Planning Committee for National Workers’ Week and Labour Day.

She added that it will bring into focus the different information and communication technologies, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to mitigate against any hazards or risks that they may pose to workers.

Other topics to be discussed include ‘Globalisation and how it impacts workers’; ‘Technology — its impact and opportunities’; ‘Ensuring that there is job creation and social protection’; ‘Protection of workers’ rights’; ‘Gender equity in the workplace and youth unemployment’.

The event will be held under the patronage of Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Floyd Green.

Panellists will be drawn from the Jamaica Employers Federation; Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; and HEART Trust/NTA. There will also be a youth representative.

The ministries will be collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (to share information on their 2015 Global Human Development Report.

National Workers’ Week began on May 15 and will culminate on Labour Day, May 23.