Digital economy threatens jobs, warn unions

A rapidly increasing reliance on technology and the drive for a low-carbon economy could threaten thousands of jobs unless they are properly managed, two separate reports warn.

Impact and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) raise significant concerns that many people could be left behind as Ireland embraces 21st-century advances.

David Joyce, Ictu equality officer, points out that, while the number of devices connected to the internet is expected to reach more than 20bn by 2020, “some 50% of the world’s population still has no access to the what we call the ‘worldwide web’”.