Communist Review - The Fourth Industrial Revolution has profoundly affected all areas of socio-economic life, including human rights. In order to exploit opportunities and minimize negative impacts, countries need to assess the impact of this revolution in a comprehensive way, including the impact on human rights.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and its impact on human rights

Human rights are inherent dignities that belong to everyone. To day, the universal value recognized by all nations of the world is that all humans have human rights, should be respected and treated equally regardless of gender, language, race and skin color, nationality, religion, residence, occupation, disability, social status or any other status. Human rights are recognized and protected in international treaties, international habits, international and municipal laws. The framework of international human rights standards has been established and recognized by countries, which requires all institutions and social organizations to respect, protect and implement, even in the fact-changing context  today.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industrial Revolution 4.0) provides both opportunities and challenges for fulfilling the responsibility of ensuring human rights in nations. On the one hand, the applications of the Industrial Revolution contribute to the expansion of recognition, promotion and protection of human rights. For example, the right to access information is realized more quickly and fully with the support of internet, big data, the developing online information system and social networks... Big data make it easier to collect and analyze data, which can monitor discrimination against vulnerable groups and support them. Information on human rights violations is also shared more quickly, so that governments, NGOs and parties responsible for human rights can receive and provide support measures in a timely manner. New technologies, particularly relating to health and education, can improve access to services and improve  a range of socio-economic indicators, thereby enhancing the right to health, education, food, entertainment and the right to enjoy the benefits of science and technology. Digital technology also makes the exercise of freedom of expression more effective. Media and social networks are increasingly  important channels to express the freedom of expression and freedom of speech of people around the world. New technology applications also facilitate vulnerable groups to access rights. For example, technology can increase accessibility to services and reduce support cost for people with disability. The disabled have  the opportunity to use more advanced assistive devices. The development of gene technology also makes crime investigation  easier, especially the crimes of abusing women and children.

On the other hand, the new applications of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 also pose a series of new challenges for promoting and protecting human rights in many fields. Although the development and proliferation of internet as well as social media platforms plays an important role in promoting the right to access to information, promoting human rights education, exercising freedom of speech, and freedom of expression, but pose new challenges of cyberbullying, aggression, discrimination and violence, fake news. The easy access to personal information and data has even led to the violation of democratic rights in the political system, such as the use of technological applications to interfere in elections in some countries in the past.

The development of algorithms and artificial intelligence in many cases goes beyond the ability of  legal system to protect rights, such as internet privacy, right to protect personal information and data. For example, the rapid dissemination and spread of information on social networks can lead to the breach of individual privacy, because it is very difficult to ‘correct’ or remove personal information once disseminated. In the current context of technological development, many countries have been forced to pass laws on the privacy data, specifically emphasizing on the responsibility of businesses in protecting privacy and personal information⁽¹⁾. Artificial intelligence can be used to treat illnesses, but it also increases social disparity and inequality. Self-flying aircraft technology can make a useful contribution to emergency relief (such as transportation of blood) more quickly, but can also be used as a weapon against humanity.

The development of automatic technology, on the one hand, helps freeing up labor for people, increase labor productivity; on the other hand, places millions of people at risk of losing their jobs. Many traditional manufacturing and business industries will also disappear quickly. For example, in 1998, Kodac camera company recruited 170,000 workers, accounting for 85% of  photographic paper market in the world, but recently, this business ceased operation. Craft jobs will also disappear, replaced by new high skill jobs. According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, it is estimated that by 2030, 400-800 million jobs in the world will be automated⁽²⁾. “Smart factories”, in which machines are connected to the internet and linked together through a system, that can visualize the entire production process and make decisions will gradually replace the previous production lines. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 will also lead to the trend of countries with technological and capital advantages return to invest in their countries based on the application of “smart factory” technology instead of  investing in countries with more affordable labor resources. This is a big challenge, especially for countries with large number of low-skilled labor forces, requiring that countries to have a strategic vision to change their workers mindset on careers, contractual relation and labor relation.

Along with the development of technology is the formation of Gig Economy and new business models in the form of self-recruitment and freelance labor. The current Gig-Economy will give workers more opportunities to find jobs and to increase incomes more flexibly, by sharing services, such as Uber, Grab or freelance jobs on technology platforms like Taskrabbit. However, the situation of “temporary labor”, “freelance labor” without labor contracts also poses great challenges in ensuring workers’ rights, including the right to adequate working conditions, the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining…

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 specifically affects vulnerable groups, such as women, people with disability, children, and the elderly. These groups need special assistance in accessing and realizing human rights. The advent of digital technology with online platforms can promote gender equality by providing women with access to information, education and connection with development opportunities, but it also increases risk of being attacked, harassed or sexually assaulted online. New technology can provide learning opportunities and information for children, while also posing new risks to children's rights, including increasing modern slavery and child labor exploitation, violence, online child abuse, child trafficking and various violations of children's privacy.

The strong development of Industry 4.0 requires nations to have a strategic vision and take drastic action to seize opportunities and solve challenges. Considering the impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, countries need to consider the multifaceted impact, not only on the economy, production technology, management model but also on society, law and human rights. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 will give countries the opportunity to develop more prosperously, connect and integrate faster, easier, ensure better human rights, but also face challenges of employment rights, inequality, and increased vulnerability for different groups in society.

Currently, when developing and implementing strategies, policies and programs in the context of the impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, many countries emphasize on human rights’ impacts. Governments are paying close attention to and actively promulgating their own industry 4.0 development strategies. For example, to achieve the common goal of security, wealth and sustainability, on February 12, 2018, Thailand adopted the human rights platform and program to incorporate National Strategy Thailand 4.0. The platform includes the following specific contents: Raising awareness about respect for human rights; building a tracking system for human rights violations; building a rights-based culture; establishing a network to monitor rights implementation; improving data on rights violation cases; modifying laws to respond to change; raising awareness for government officials on human rights; reducing human rights violations and abuse; building typical models of human rights; taking measures to implement human rights proposals⁽³⁾. The Australian Government has taken many initiatives to implement the Industrial Revolution 4.0. In 2016, the Prime Minister of Australia established a Government task force on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 to cooperate with the German government in implementation Platform Industry 4.0 in fields, such as architecture, setting standards, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, industry 4.0 testing stations, cyber security systems, employment, education and training ⁽⁴⁾.

Australia Human Rights Commission implemented a major research project on technology and human rights with many consulting events and seminars to identify practical issues; conducting research and organizing public consultations on the best way to seize opportunities and address human rights challenges in the context of new technology, building appropriate roadmaps for reform. ⁽⁵⁾.

The impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on ensuring human rights in Vietnam

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 has been bringing opportunities and challenges to the development of Vietnam. The Resolution of the 12th Politburo clearly stated the mission: "It is necessary to build an access strategy and actively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution". Accordingly, in March 2017, the content of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 was discussed at the Government’s regular meeting. On April 4, 2017, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 16 CT-TTg, on strengthening the capacity to access the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Directive identifies challenges and opportunities, offers solutions and tasks, helps Vietnam actively "leapfrog” into the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Vietnam belongs to a group of countries that are in the transition period of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 with many development opportunities, such as: production, services, agriculture, banking and finance… The development and application of new technological achievements will bring economic growth to Vietnam, contributing directly to improving the enjoyment of human rights in many fields. For example, the application of digital technology has been creating jobs in some new professions in Vietnam, such as  technological driver, home rental services (AirBnB), and online business..., thereby contributing positively to ensuring the right to work and the right to an adequate standard of living for the people. Besides, technological breakthroughs also create medical applications to positively support the expansion of access to health services and ensure health rights. The rapid development of internet and online services is a great opportunity to promote the right to access to information and freedom of expression in Vietnam.

However, at present, Vietnam's access to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is still at a low average level. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology's assessment published in April 2017, Vietnam's readiness to access to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 scored  4.9/10 points. Therefore, Vietnam needs guidelines, policies and programs to access this Revolution with a long-term vision, taking into account impacts and risks in the fields of economy, society, law and human rights.

Similar to other countries, the impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 on human rights is relatively clear both in terms of legislation on human rights and the enforcement of human rights in practice. Some human rights challenges in Vietnam in the context of Industrial Revolution 4.0 can be mentioned as follows:

The development of internet and social platforms poses many legal challenges on recognizing and ensuring human rights in Vietnam. Regarding privacy, some new issues should be codified by laws related to the right to personal data protection, the right to be forgotten... Although stipulated in the 2013 Constitution, Vietnam has not yet passed a separate privacy law to regulate these new legal issues.

In the field of labor, the emergence of free market with new business models and labor relation forms has created a new labor force that is not governed by labor law and Law on Social Insurance of Vietnam. The current Vietnam Labor Code has not yet recognized some of the newly formed rights in the context of Industrial Revolution 4.0, such as the right to disconnect ⁽⁶⁾.

Industrial Revolution 4.0. has been directly affecting the guarantee of employment rights in Vietnam. In the coming time, jobs in manufacturing industries, such as garment, leather and footwear, electronics – also known as Vietnam's main export and foreign direct investment sectors - will be greatly affected by automation and smart factory. Job loss is a risk that Vietnamese workers are facing directly because 17% of the Vietnamese labor force operates in manufacturing industries. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate policies, retraining programs, career change for this group of workers.

In the time going forward, the Vietnamese Party and State need to have comprehensive and strong guidelines and policies to create more breakthroughs so that Vietnam can seize opportunities, overcome challenges and proactively participate in the revolution. More specifically, when formulating policies, laws, strategies and programs on Industry Revolution 4.0, Vietnam needs to take into account the responsibility of the State in ensuring human rights, by limiting the risk of human rights violation due to the impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Vietnam needs to apply a human rights-based approach when implementing socio-economic development programs./.

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(1) See: Open Global Rights: "Addressing the potential human rights risks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution", https://www.openglobalrights.org/addressing-the-potential-human-rights- risks-of-the-fourth-industrial-revolution /
(2) See: McKiney & Company: “Jobs lost, jobs gained: What the future of work will mean for jobs, skills, and wages”, 2017, https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of -work / jobs-lost-jobs-gained-what-the-future-of-work-will-mean-for-jobs-skills-and-wages # part% 203
(3) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand: Announcement on the national program "Human rights is  the basic element of Thailand 4.0, towards sustainable development, http://www.mfa.go.th/main /en/news3/6885/86767-Announcement-of-the-National-Agenda-clusHuman-Rights.html
(4) Ministry of Industry, Innovation and Science, Industry Task Force 4.0, https://archive.industry.gov.au/ industry / Industry-4-0 / Pages / PMs-Industry-4-0 -Taskforce.aspx
(5) Australian Human Rights Commission, https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/ publication / AHRC-Human-Rights-Tech-IP.pdf
(6) Recently, a number of countries, such as France and the Philippines, have amended their labor laws to recognize the right to disconnect as a right of workers.