We are living in a time of rapid and profound changes, driven by technology, globalisation and a wide range of socio-economic transformations, which inevitably have an impact on various levels of our lives, including the way work is organised.
I am referring, of course, to teleworking, with all its benefits, but also its potential risks, for example to the emotional and mental well-being of workers, as a result of increased loneliness and lack of social interaction.
I am also referring to the growing expectation in the workforce for a better work-life balance through flexible working and alternative schedules, which still poses serious challenges in terms of actual implementation and inequalities, particularly for women who, as we know, still face stricter societal expectations in terms of family and domestic responsibilities - the so-called double shift.
If it is true that organisations in the 21st century need to adapt to ongoing change in order to remain competitive and sustainable, it is no less true that they need to ensure that the rights, dignity and well-being of workers are and continue to be protected.
In this highly dynamic context, labour law therefore plays a fundamental role in building fairer and more just societies. We must therefore commit ourselves to applying its principles effectively, adapted to the realities of the 21st century, to ensure that no one is left behind in the process of transforming our societies.
But it is also necessary to know the reality. And it is in this spirit that I invite you to visit the new Social Data Portal, avaliabble here.
This is a project of the Observatory of Living and Working Conditions and the recently launched Nova4Globe platform, which will contribute to the scientific dissemination and free access of interdisciplinary data on work, sustainability, social inequality, health and living conditions in Portugal.
By sharing updated data and research reports on the world of work, NOVA aims not only to provide relevant information, but also to encourage a deeper and more comprehensive analysis that stimulates critical reflection on emerging dynamics in the workplace, thus providing a solid basis for meaningful and much-needed discussions.