Navigating the digital economy – Leading the way with your voice.

Imagine yourself as a woman working in the IT sector in the US, hailing from Nairobi.

You have worked very hard to reach where you are. Being a woman from an underdeveloped neighbourhood has presented more difficulties than your fair share. But you persisted. You worked, studied, and at last found employment with a rising tech company. You’re proud of this work: coding, building websites, and keeping servers for clients all around the globe.

One fine day, your employer calls a meeting. He discusses outsourcing, foreign direct investment, offshore, and global market competitiveness. He touches on the topic of “trade agreements” and their impact on business operation expenses. He mentions that the corporation is facing pressure as wages rise in certain markets and foreign clients are now considering less expensive countries for their business.

He continues endlessly discussing topics such as “tariff impacts,” “exchange rate fluctuations,” and “global digital trade policies.”

 

Wait, then what?

You nod in agreement, but you find yourself lost in the process. What significance is any of this to you?

Then you hear something truly relevant.

He claims that the corporation is considering strategies such as “moving part of the operations offshore,” “streamlining the workforce,” or “digital workforce integration,” which are code words for job loss and replacement of human workers with artificial intelligence. All this global economic discussion may initially seem abstract, but it turns out to be deeply personal. Your job, income, and ability to care for your family all depend on it. 

Does this sound familiar? 

This is a constant in the global political economy.

 If you want to know more, you are on the right page. Welcome to our blogs on ”Artificial Inequality.” This is Pree. I’m a dental graduate with global health specialisation, pursuing a master’s in communication for development. I bring a unique interdisciplinary perspective where all fields (health, social sciences, and arts) converge on the goal of achieving equity and development. Inspired by this intersection, I will try to simplify the complexities of our digital world, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, through my blogs. Join me as we navigate this digital landscape and gig economy within the overarching framework of global political economy. This blog will break down complex trends, empowering you to make informed decisions and control your future in this dynamic landscape.

 

Going back to the beginning,

What is not said?

In the Global South, the information technology sector has experienced significant growth. Outsourcing has been a lifeline for nations including Kenya, India, and the Philippines, generating hundreds of thousands of skilled workers’ jobs. But behind the scenes, choices taken in New York, London, or Tokyo—about how to control worldwide supply chains and lower costs—can unexpectedly drag the rug out from under workers. 

 

What are you able to do? 

The secret, though, is that decoding these problems empowers you. You can equip yourself better the more you understand about the dynamics of the world economy. Participating in advocacy for more equitable trade rules will help protect jobs like yours from future layoffs.

 The next time you hear your manager or anyone discussing “global supply chains,” “outsourcing,” or “free trade agreements,” don’t let it make you feel tiny. Ask questions. Persuade. Ultimately, the global (political) economy should benefit all of us rather than corporations and elites from wealthier nations.

You are not merely a cog in the wheel or just a data point in the system; you belong to the global political economy; understanding it is crucial.

 

 

 

Featured Image Source: ©[Canva creative studio] via Canva.com
©[dimaberlinphotos] via Canva.com
©[kentoh] via Canva.com
©[Wirestock] via Canva.com
©[ludacp] via Canva.com