*By Clara Savelli, Daniela de Sa Jacobina Pires and Heloísa Catani Mariani Pavoni Matias
The reduction of social inequality in Brazil has long been a central topic of discussion, considering the technological advances of recent decades, especially in the field of work. Indeed, since the First Industrial Revolution, technology has been seen both as a path to new employment opportunities and as a factor that contributes to accentuated social inequality, if inclusion is not taken care of from a government point of view. It is widely accepted that digital technologies can be used positively, seeking new ways of disseminating knowledge and helping with studies and the professional environment, but there is a collective fear, often in the form of a myth, that technology will steal jobs and will be harmful to the population.
In fact, what we see more and more is that technology provides paths to learning and development opportunities, offering crucial tools for training professionals. Through training programs, skills valued in the technological job market can be acquired, which not only increases the competitiveness of candidates, but also contributes significantly to raising their standard of living. By mastering technology, workers are able to expand their employment possibilities, increase their income and, thus, reach a higher standard of living, breaking cycles of inequality and fostering social and economic progress.
According to a survey carried out with young apprentices from the School Business Integration Center (CIEE)[1], the effects of technology on the quality of life of these individuals are evident, especially considering that their families had monthly incomes of around the minimum wage before entering the technology market. Many have become the main providers for their families, changing not only their worldview but also achieving previously unimaginable professional growth. The Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES), through the RH Tech Platform[2] publishes several training programs that offer professional training for people interested in technology. Data from these partner programs confirms the positive impacts
of education in the insertion of people in situations of social vulnerability into the job market, thus changing their lives and those of their families. One of the partners, {Reprograma}, which works with programming training for women (cis and trans), has a rate of 63% of graduates employed in the IT area within 6 months of completing the courses, for example[1].
Likewise, digital platforms proved to be a new source of income for many Brazilians, which became clear during the pandemic, when conventional jobs lost strength and dependence on technology intensified. Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of internet users in the world[2], and it is not surprising that sales platforms are growing more and more, positively impacting the population's quality of life. These platforms can serve both as a main source of income and as a supplement. It is true, however, that it is necessary to look at this type of employment relationship also from a governmental point of view, trying to understand how it is possible to reduce precariousness without losing competitiveness, entrepreneurship and the interest of companies in investing in this type of work. model.
However, we perhaps need to take a step back and understand that the challenge of connectivity is crucial in the use of digital tools for work and study, since, in Brazil, a country of continental dimensions, there is great disparity in terms of access, affecting how people People understand and use technologies. Recent researches[3] point out that around 84% of Brazilian homes are connected to the internet. However, when we analyze the percentage that are not connected to the network, we see that these are people who commonly live in situations of social vulnerability. 17 million of these people are black or brown, as well as 17 million belong to classes DE. Furthermore, 24 million only studied up to elementary school. It is important to highlight that 16 million are aged 60 or over, exceeding the number of non-users in other age groups. What we see with this data is that a portion of the population that would greatly benefit from connectivity and digital literacy is still excluded, running the risk of being removed from the job market in a short time, with
technological advances even in areas previously considered manual labor (family farming[1], for example).
Technology plays a vital role in reducing inequalities by bringing innovative solutions across various sectors. In education, online platforms democratize access to knowledge, allowing individuals from different contexts to learn and qualify. Most of the courses curated by ABES via RH Tech are digital, enabling the participation of many people from all over Brazil. It is worth mentioning that, in addition, some trainers who work with inclusion and digital literacy lend a computer so that students can participate in classes and complete their tasks. This is the case of RECODE, for example, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is a beneficiary of donations from the Mobilization for the Reduction of Inequality, an ABES program that works with the correct disposal of electronic equipment, reinvesting the amounts collected from the recycling of this equipment. or donating your own refurbished equipment to NGOs that work with digital training[2].
In healthcare, telemedicine is an essential tool for bringing quality care to remote areas. The practice gained strength during the pandemic period, but continues to be relevant in Brazilian medical care. Research shows that 33% of doctors and 26% of nurses in 2022 saw patients online[3]. This type of care is extremely beneficial as it facilitates access for populations in places with little access to traditional care, frees up face-to-face care so that it can only focus on cases that really need face-to-face care and reduces hospital costs.[4].
FinTechs revolutionize the financial sector, offering banking services to those who previously did not have access. In addition, they help with financial education and training of
users so that they are owners of their own money and more aware of its use, avoiding the debt that is so common in the country[1].
Digital inclusion, through the provision of devices and digital skills training, enables marginalized communities to participate in the digital economy. We can continue to give several other examples: in entrepreneurship, technology promotes new business opportunities and job creation, especially through startups and e-commerce. In agriculture, technologies such as IoT and drones increase productivity, mainly benefiting rural communities. Governments around the world adopt e-governance to make services more accessible and transparent. Finally, renewable energy technology is vital in reducing energy inequality by bringing sustainable energy sources to previously deprived regions. These technological initiatives are fundamental to combating inequalities and promoting more inclusive and equitable development.
There are several approaches to making Brazil a more digital and less unequal country, but they all involve data literacy and professional training in the technology sector. Everyone needs to be committed to this goal: government, academia and companies. Each party must contribute its share, in order to be able to enjoy all the benefits that technological developments have to offer and mitigate the risks, especially that of worsening exclusion, which they can also offer.
*Clara Savelli, Project Coordinator at the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES) and takes care of ESG issues (in English: environment, social and government). Graduated in Law and International Relations, she also has a master's degree in Ethics and Political Philosophy and a doctorate in Aesthetics. She is also an author published by Intrínseca, where she writes young books.
*Daniela de Sa Jacobina Pires, Master in Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer for Innovation from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). She is currently project coordinator at Think Tank – Center for Innovation Intelligence, Public Policies and Innovation of the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES).
*Heloísa Catani Mariani Pavoni Matias, Historian graduated from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). Currently in the last year of the Law course at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, he works as a Legal Assistant at the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES).
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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[1] MARQUES, Jamile Sabatini; ITIKAWA, Luciana Fukimoto. Diagnosis of all Young People in RMSP. Analysis of CIEE Young Apprentices. University of São Paulo: Institute of Advanced Studies, 2020. [unpublished]. Research presented during a meeting of the ABES Future of Work Committee held on August 17, 2022. For more information about the data collected, contact the researcher at contato@thinktankabes.org.br.
[2] Discover the platform at https://abes.com.br/rhtech/. Accessed on 20 Nov. 2023.
[3] REPROGRAM. Our Impact. Available in: https://reprograma.com.br/nosso-impacto/. Accessed on: 19 Nov. 2023.
[4] DIGITALKS. Brazil is the 5th country with the most internet users in the world. Available at: https://digitalks.com.br/noticias/brasil-eo-5o-pais-com-mais-usuarios-de-internet-no-mundo/. Accessed on: 19 Nov. 2023.
[5] Camargo, Bianca. Around 84% of Brazilian homes have access to the internet, says research. Available in: . Accessed on 20 Nov. 2023.
[6] EMBRAPA. Technologies for family farming. Available in: . Accessed on: 20 Nov. 2023.
[7] SOPRANA, Paula. Project recycles electronic waste and recreates computers for digital inclusion. Folha de São Paulo, São Paulo, 17 July. 2021. Available at: . Accessed on: 20 Nov. 2023.
[8] BRAZIL AGENCY. Research shows that 33% of the country's doctors provided services via teleconsultation. Available in: . Accessed on: 20 Nov. 2023.
[9] CNN BRAZIL. What is telemedicine. CNN Brasil, May 23. 2023. Available at: . Accessed on: 20 Nov. 2023.
[10] EXAM. Fintechs can promote social impact and sustainability in the economy. Available at: https://exame.com/bussola/fintechs-podem-promover-impacto-social-e-consciente-na-economia/. Accessed on: 21 Nov. 2023.
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