The reasons for the digital divide are in fact the same inequality and economical and social differences that was shaped by the industrial era. The only possible Trade Union Vision is that IT must be used as a tool for fulfilling human needs in all important aspects, both as individuals and as a society.
If information and knowledge is necessary for individual growth and power, then every human being must be entitled to that power. If not, we have failed in our ambitions to create the good society.
Basic access to IT, information about the use of IT and the access to high quality IT is following the same economical and social pattern and structure that we learned from the industrial society. In that aspect IT is not, so far, an icebreaker for a better world and labour market with more codetermination and better ways to organise jobs and for lifelong learning.
Therefor, the risk for an increased gap between those who are favoured and those who are not is obvious. The present situation is that nearly half of the Swedish work force doesn’t have access to IT at work or is using IT in a low-grade way. The lines between the groups are sharp and in general following traditional class differences very strictly.
This causes restrictions for economical growth in the companies and the competitiveness for Sweden in a global market perspective. Low skilled worker with old fashion tools and work organisation will not contribute to national growth in a way that guaranties the survival of the social welfare state. And if a majority of the workforce is excluded from the use of the good IT, that enables them to independently seek information, have external contacts and by that make a better job, we are not using IT in a smart, efficient or even democratic way.
Statistically, the Swedish labour market is divides in 50/50 when it comes to access to the good and supporting IT and those who have not. The Trade Union vision is that all members and workers should have access to IT that supports their needs for learning, more developing jobs and other possibilities in life. That calls for new ways of learning, new designs of learning tools and for sure, in many aspect totally new techniques.
Because - if we do not succeed in that, we will face a prolonged inequality, more social and economical exclusion among many of our members and other disadvantaged groups. The antidote is governmental ambitions to keep Sweden in a head position when it comes to IT-access, Sweden’s strong position in research and science in the area of IT and not at least, the experience from the DLK-project that has brought our affiliated unions in pace with the future.