Joe Biden Administration Will Evaluate The Use Of Labor Monitoring Technology By Companies

JAKARTA - The administration of US President Joe Biden plans to study the use of technology by companies in monitoring and managing workers who, according to them, are increasingly common and could lead to a "serious risk to workers."

The White House Science and Technology Policy Office (OSTP), in a blog post, asked workers for comments on their experiences with monitoring technology, and asked entrepreneurs and software vendors how they develop and use them.

"While this technology can be useful for workers and employers in some cases, this technology can also create serious risks for workers," the OSTP said.

"Monitoring conversations can prevent workers from taking their rights to organize and negotiate with their employers. And, when paired with employers' decisions on salary, discipline, and promotion, automatic monitoring can cause workers to be treated differently or discriminated against," said the OSTP.

Advocates have been critical for years on how companies use technology like this, saying it could violate workers' privacy, hinder union activity and allow discrimination.

The Biden administration has created labor problems as its economic policy center after years of wages failing to keep up with inflation in basic necessities such as housing.