Workers Control-lite

March 2024 Forums General discussion Workers Control-lite

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    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    Robots in the workplace should be owned and controlled by workers rather than bosses, Jeremy Corbyn will suggest when he speaks to the Co-operative Party Conference in London on Saturday

     He will also suggest "gig economy" firms like Uber could be replaced by co-operatives. Drivers would collectively agree their own pay and conditions.

    Labour's  Alternative Models of Ownership report, was launched last month and said to prevent "the rise of the robots" only benefitting "a powerful and wealthy few", the report suggest "putting the ownership and control of the robots in the hands of those who work with them." which Corbyn will cite. Further he will say, "The technology of the digital age should empower us both as workers and consumers, allowing us to co-operate on a scale in a way that wasn't possible in the past"  adding, "And yet too often it has given rein to a more rapacious and exploitative form of capitalism."

    Corbyn will criticise the wages and conditions offered by the likes of cab-hailing app Uber and food delivery service Deliveroo. Such companies say their drivers and riders are self-employed and therefore can work when they want – and in return for that flexibility they do not get the same benefits as full-time staff. Corbyn will say: "Imagine an Uber run co-operatively by their drivers, collectively controlling their futures, agreeing their own pay and conditions, with profits shared or re-invested. "The biggest obstacle to this is not technological, but a rigged economic system that favours wealth extractors not wealth creators."

    Give Corbyn his due, he talks the talk. He knows his audience and understands what appeals. But we know when elected, he will fail to walk the walk. Other powers in the City of London will rein in his policies and ensure there is no substance to the reforms which will threaten their control.

    http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-41614820

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