Australian dock workers are calling for a 28-hour work week without any reduction in pay as automation and artificial intelligence become more common across the country’s ports, arguing that productivity gains from new technology should benefit employees as well as businesses.
The demand has been put forward by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) during discussions over the growing use of AI by global port operator DP World, which manages container terminals in several Australian cities.
The union says the rapid introduction of automation has placed workers’ jobs at risk and believes companies adopting advanced technologies should share the economic benefits with their workforce.
“If DP World wants AI and automation, then they must pay the social dividend,” the union said in a recent statement. It argued that technological advances should improve working conditions rather than lead to job losses or reduced employment opportunities.
The MUA claims automation initiatives could threaten up to 1,000 positions, representing more than 60 percent of dock and maintenance workers employed by the company in Australia.
According to a study by the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research, commissioned by the union, DP World is increasingly testing AI systems to help manage employee scheduling and workplace operations. The report also says the company is exploring AI-assisted remote-controlled cranes and autonomous vehicles for cargo handling.
Researchers behind the study argue that these technologies are being introduced without sufficient consultation with employees and could significantly reshape the workforce if widely adopted.
DP World has not publicly responded to the union’s latest demands. The company, headquartered in Dubai, is one of the world’s largest port operators and manages container terminals across Australia, including facilities in Sydney, Melbourne and other major cities. Globally, it operates in 84 countries, employs more than 126,000 people and handles roughly one-tenth of worldwide container traffic.
Dock workers at DP World facilities in Australia currently work approximately 32 to 35 hours per week, depending on their location. The union’s proposal would reduce working hours to 28 per week while maintaining existing pay levels.
The debate reflects a broader discussion taking place in industries around the world as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into workplaces. Labor organizations have increasingly argued that productivity gains created by automation should translate into shorter working hours, stronger job protections and improved wages rather than simply higher corporate profits.
DP World has previously highlighted AI as an important part of its long-term strategy. Last year, Asia Pacific Chief Executive Glen Hilton said artificial intelligence was becoming essential for managing increasingly complex global supply chains and improving operational efficiency across the company’s regional ports.
The outcome of negotiations between the company and the union could become a closely watched example for other industries facing similar questions about how the benefits of AI and automation should be shared between employers and workers as technological change accelerates.
