What if training a robot to handle dirty, dangerous work on the factory floor was as simple as showing it how? Czech startup RoboTwin is doing exactly that, helping factory workers teach robots new skills by demonstration. Instead of writing complex code, workers perform the job once and RoboTwin’s technology turns those movements
Thomas Gift, UCL Elon Musk is wielding a chainsaw against US government departments, potentially culling tens of thousands of jobs, as part of a huge plan to shrink the government and slash federal spending. This large-scale purge of public servants, coordinated through Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), may end up creating one
What gives a task meaning? rangizzz/Shutterstock Caleb Althorpe, Trinity College Dublin Work is an inescapable feature of the modern world. Most of us, except for a lucky few, spend a significant portion of our lives working. If this is the case, we may as well try and make it meaningful. In a 2019
The semiconductor industry faces challenges like a shortage of skilled workers and supply chain disruptions. However, opportunities lie in emerging technologies and collaborations between industry and academia. Governments are providing support to strengthen domestic capabilities. The Western world aims to reclaim its leadership position through innovation and securing the supply chain. By addressing
A recent Australia Institute report has shown that profiteering is the source of the country’s high inflation. This is in contrast to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s fearmongering claims that higher wages are the main threat to economic growth and security. The report highlights the need to control excess profits and artificially increased
Reconstructing the working week. Steve Heap/Shutterstock Miriam Marra, University of Reading The world’s largest four-day working week trial has just ended and almost all of the companies that participated have decided to continue with a reduced working hours model. Participants in the trial agreed to produce the same output for the same pay,
Despite massive pressure from platform operators, the EU Parliament agrees on a directive for more rights for platform workers. In principle, they will be considered employees—with all employment and social security rights. That means: minimum wage, paid vacation, social security and benefits in case of illness and unemployment. The directive is set to
Qatar claimed millions of dollars in unpaid wages were already disbursed Three weeks ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar’s Labour Minister has rejected calls from human rights groups to compensate migrant workers involved in building stadiums and other infrastructure. A global campaign called #PayUpFIFA was launched by Human Rights Watch (HRW)
The Spanish government is strengthening the rights of caregivers, cleaners, and gardeners. As of October 1, domestic workers and household helpers will be treated the same as employees in other industries. As a result, several hundred thousand workers will have access to social security, minimum wage and unemployment benefits. They care for the
The Spanish government of Socialist Pedro Sanchéz wants to do everything to “relieve the middle class and workers”, says the Prime Minister. From September 1st, rail travel in Spain will be free for local and medium-distance trains for three months. In Germany, 52 million 9-Euro tickets were sold in the summer, saving 1.8