Feminist visions of the future of work in Asia

Work produces not just economic goods and services but also social and political relations and identities. In recent years, numerous books, articles, and conferences discuss the likely impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution or 4IR for the ‘Future of Work’ (FoW). Some accounts, particularly those from technology companies, are essentially optimistic, celebrating the new productivity and efficiency gains that will accompany the adoption of new technologies and a possible post-work future.

Others, particularly governments and economists, are more cautious, pointing out a likely churn in the world of work, where the degree of technological unemployment will depend on how quickly people are able to reskill.

Still others, particularly civil society activists and social scientists, highlight the inequitable distribution of technology gains, noting the many old and new socio-economic inequities that are likely to be (re)produced. While these studies provide important and timely insights, most are focused on the experiences and trajectories of industrialised economies.

Few consider the likely impact across the global south; fewer still consider the differentiated impact across social groups. Technology trajectories and their impact on the world of work are unlikely to be homogenous, and will be shaped by local labour market realities, socio-cultural norms, and political and societal decision-making contexts.

Asia is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the world, home to five of the world’s largest economies - China, Japan, India, South Korea and Indonesia. How the future world of work unfolds in Asia will be relevant across the world. So, to better understand what the future of work will look like for women in Asia, Urvashi Aneja, Founding Director of Tandem Research, an interdisciplinary research collective based in India, analyzed the narratives, trends and developments in this region.

Main findings