Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

Perhaps a 3D food printer in each room making breakfast to order?

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

It is inevitable: In 1983 the local steel works employed 23000 people; today it employs about 4000 and makes twice as much steel. The demand for skilled workers to maintain the equipment has tripled.

Last year we had 388000 immigrants yet they are still finding jobs - automation creates opportunities in other areas.

Hospitality is possibly one area where people will always be needed.

I was amazed in another discussion where you still have gangs of men collecting garbage; here there is a truck with just a driver and he never has to leave the cab, the truck picks up the bin, empties it and puts it back on the kerb.

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

Hi

The thing is Bruce, we have vast amounts of on street parking here in the UK, it simply is not feasible to operate your system here.

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

The question still stands, when a person in the workplace is displaced by automation, how can they afford to be Hospitable?

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

Airbnb?

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

I think one thing that'll happen in hotels is that more will be bed only and you have to go out for breakfast. (I doubt if they've invented robots that can change the beds and clean though.)

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

Oh no, I've just lost my job, at least I can spend all day at the Health Spa now.

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

Hi

The number of traditional long term jobs is decreasing and decreasing rapidly.

Bank closures, online shopping, self service checkouts at supermarkets, paperless offices, everything scanned in on arrival, no more typing pools or filing clerks.

A butter plant, 1500 tons a week, only 28 employees, the list is endless.

It is inevitable.

Many fewer jobs, but better paid ones.

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

Don't employers have some responsibility to society ? If they can do without people great but should they ? If they want a huge number of unemployed fine but they'll be first yelling terrible people not having a job.

In times past employers didn't just look at their manufacturing businesses as cash cows they often did things in society like build churches, public buildings, schools, housing even.

Where is their responsibility to help build a better society now ?

Re: UK minimum wage: Steep increases could kickstart workplace automation revolution

People who set up businesses are just like the rest of us and want to earn a living. It is very hard work setting up a lucrative business and they needed help.Nobody works for nothing so they had to pay a salary, but now computers can do the jobs, and maybe robots in the future, it means that they can cope without people going on strike, demanding better wages and holidays and taking days off sick. That will mean that the business will work more efficiently and at a lower cost.... and I don't know anybody that would not prefer that for their business.
Nobody has a duty to provide jobs for others, it is up to all people to find a way to meet their needs. Whether we like it or not, this will mean that we return to "Survival of the fittest"!