VOA慢速英语2018 研究者称机器人可能会夺走非洲人民的工作

Robots Could Take Jobs from Africans, Researchers Warn

It could soon cost less to operate a factory of robots in the United States than to employ a human worker in Africa. That is the finding of a report from a London-based research organization. The report warns that automation could have a bad effect on developing economies. It says to avoid that governments must invest in digitalization and skills training.

在美国经营一家自动化工厂可能很快就比在非洲雇佣工人的成本要低，这是伦敦一家研究机构的研究结果。这份报告警告称，自动化可能会对发展中国家产生不利影响。为了避免这种影响，政府必须对数字化和技能培训进行投资。

Businesses traditionally have sent production work to the developing world where labor 1 is less costly 2. But, technology may soon bring an end to that.

企业一般都将生产工作交给了劳动力成本较低的发展中国家。但是，科技可能很快就会让这种情况消失。

The policy research organization Overseas Development Institute recently examined furniture manufacturing in Africa.

英国海外发展研究所这家政策研究机构最近调查了非洲的家具制造业。

Karishma Banga was a lead researcher. She says that in the next 15 to 20 years the use of robots to make furniture will cost less than Kenyan labor. By 2033, she says, it will be more profitable for American businesses to return production operations to the United States.

Karishma Banga是首席研究员。她说，在未来15到20年内，使用机器人制作家具的成本将会低于肯尼亚工人。到2033年，美国企业将生产经营带回国内将会更加有利可图。

Robot costs are falling about 6 percent every year, but the cost of wages is rising every year.

机器人成本每年下降约6%，但是人工成本每年都在上涨。

Some businesses are trying to help the human workers who are competing with robots.

一些企业正试图帮助那些与机器人竞争的工人。

The Funkidz furniture factory in Kenya ended its traditional system of production. Now, skilled workers operate automated 3 machines that use computer-aided designs.

肯尼亚的Funkidz家具厂结束了传统的生产体系。现在，熟练工人开始操作使用计算机辅助设计的自动化机器。

The investment is successful. There has been growth and expansion into Uganda and Rwanda. But the company leader Ciiru Waweru Waithaka says she cannot find enough skilled workers.

这笔投资非常成功，家具厂取得了增长，并扩大到乌干达和卢旺达。但是该公司负责人Ciiru Waweru Waithaka表示，她招不到足够的技术工人。

She said, “There are many people who need jobs, yes, we agree, but if they have no skills… I would love to employ you, but you need a skill, (or) you cannot operate our machines.”

她说：“我们承认有很多人都在求职，但是他们缺乏技能。我很想雇佣你，但是你得有技术，否则你就没法操作我们的机器。”

She also said she is urging the government to help train workers.

她还表示正在督促政府帮助培训工人。

The ODI report writers are doing the same. They say African governments should use the next few years to build industrial and digital skills among people before it is too late.

英国海外发展研究所这份报告的作者也在做同样的事情。他们表示，趁为时不晚，非洲政府应该利用未来短短几年时间培训人们的行业和数字技能。

I’m Susan Shand.

Words in This Story

automation – n. the system of using machines or computers, instead of people, to do the work

digitalization – n. using or characterized by computer technology

furniture – n. chairs, tables, beds, that are used to make a room ready for use