〔Appearance〕 Trade Union Advisory Committee Forum at the OECD Ministerial Meeting (2016/6/21)

9:30 am to 10:45 am

Technological Transformation & New Regulatory Models

Existing economic and social structures are increasingly affected by digitization: Some for the better (increased internet openness and exchanges) and other for the worse (security and privacy risks, non-shared profits, and the rise in non-standard work). A coherent set of regulatory policies and investment targets is imperative to enable an equitable technological diffusion, while anticipating trends and risks. As such, the risk of a “digital deflation’ is real since companies increasingly encounter pressures on profit margins and rely on short-term financing. At the same time, monopolistic structures are making it difficult for new firms to grow, and leading some to adopt labour-cost saving and high-risk business models, to avoid paying taxes and to seek other legal loopholes. Panelists are invited to discuss the economic and social effects of Internet openness and technological change focusing on:

• Value creation in the digital sector
• Legal status and taxation
• Competitive pressures vs. sustainable business models
• Long-term investment vs. Digital Deflation

Moderator: Tim Noonan, Communications Director, ITUC

Catalina Achermann, Expert for telecommunications, digital ecosystems, new technologies, and public policy, CEPAL

Robert T Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)

Yann Bonnet, General Secretary, Conseil National du Numérique (French Digital Council), France

Nat Sakimura, Chairman, OpenID Foundation¹

Damon Silvers, Policy Director and Special Councel, AFL-CIO

Conrado García Velasco, General Secretary, Sutnotimex

KEY INTERVENER:

Ruwan Subasinghe, Legal Advisor, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)