The repercussions of increased use of robots on poor countries

The future of the industry seems to be increasingly geared towards more massive use of robots; Western public opinion rightly questions the reduction of jobs, in a context already heavily marked by the economic crisis. The proposed measures, in order not to have adverse social and economic consequences, capable of depressing both internal and external markets, are the most diverse. It is from the introduction of a citizens' wage, able to offset wage losses, up to the taxation of robots to fund the support of workers deported by industrial processes influenced by higher automation. This is a scenario characterized by deep concern, especially because of its social implications, which can alter the balance of production sectors and the economic system. However, a possible consequence not yet fully investigated is what concerns the relapse in countries where labor costs are low and do not have high skills to resell on the labor market. These are countries in the third and fourth world where large quantities have been exported but of little value. It is fairly easy to predict that robotic labor will have lower labor costs at the lowest cost, also produce close to sales areas, reduce transport costs and close proximity to the most skilled workers in the industry, will increase the economies of scale of industries involved in the production process. This scheme can be applied to any commodity sector, but above all to those commodities destined for the richest markets: western ones. It is very well understood that the consequences for poor countries, which have nothing else to offer to the globalized market, than their low-cost labor, will most likely decrease their revenues, and even in the case of a development industrial start-up, you could not compete with Western industries. If we take into consideration the possible, but not sure, introduction of a car tax, in relation to decreased human work, this tax revenue, destined for redistribution in favor of the workforce expelled from the production process, can only be imagined in the country in which the robots are implanted; therefore no compensation can be considered for the low-cost labor force in the poor countries, replaced by robots planted in the factories belonging to the factories concerned with the phenomenon. The contraction in employment opportunities may have direct repercussions on the social fabric of the poor countries, thus increasing the migration phenomenon in the economic cause. The increase could be substantial and difficult to manage and could affect not only European countries but also all those countries that have embarked on a path that is about increasing their production standards, supported by both the presence of a cultural background capable of facilitating the transition to automated work, both by the presence of considerable financial liquidity capability, capable of supporting the costs and investments needed to equip its industrial infrastructure with greater automation. So not only Europe, but also countries like China that have passed the stage of cheap labor providers, will have to think about how to deal with the migratory emergency for economic reasons. The choice may be in two directions: the first is to promote the growth of markets capable of absorbing goods produced by machines, while the second is to oppose a migration phenomenon, such as current Europe, but in even more intense, and open a tough confrontation between rich countries and poor countries, with perilous hazardous consequences. The first solution implies a direct commitment not only to the governments of the rich countries, but also to the industries that can identify potentialities in the new possible markets but to reconcile the will to invest with the real financial possibilities, for this purpose could be created ad hoc international bodies, even though it is a long and difficult process, for the starting conditions of poor countries' economies, which are in very backward situations. Certainly, in the event of closure to poor countries, there will be very serious emergencies for rich countries, such as the abovementioned increase in migration, which, if obstructed, could produce aversion to rich countries capable of fueling new terrorist organizations. The problem of increasing automation, therefore, should not be underestimated, but tackled in time in all its variables.