A new coalition of digital workers has formed in the Philippines to address growing concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on workers’ rights. The Coalition of Digital Employees – Artificial Intelligence (CODE AI), led by UnionAID partner BIEN (BPO Industry Employees Network) and other digital sector unions, is demanding worker protections as AI adoption increases across industries.
“We call on the government for a proactive and inclusive policy-making, as workers face threats of job losses, diminishing wages, and other harms,” said BIEN Research Head Lean Porquia. Advisory firm Avasant estimates 300,000 jobs could be lost in the Business Process Outsourcing sector alone within five years.
The coalition is pushing for worker participation in AI policy-making, documentation of AI-related workplace harms, and employer accountability. They are also supporting BIEN spokesperson Renso Bajala, who was terminated after speaking publicly about AI’s impact on workers. The group is now engaging with legislators and the Department of Labor to develop comprehensive AI regulations that protect workers’ rights.
