NEW LABOUR CHALLENGES IN POLISH AND EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL LAW

Abstract

New technologies, artificial intelligence, or the digitalisation of the economy are challenging lawyers in terms of the functioning of the existing legal instruments as well as the creation of completely new ones. The challenges of the digitalisation era mainly concern labour law. Traditional work performed at the employer’s premises is still of great importance, while at the same time the legislator, if only in Poland, regulates new types of employment relationships, such as remote working. However, there is a problem, which is analysed in the article, of how these new legal mechanisms can be applied in various sectors of the economy. One example where this seems to pose difficulties is agriculture. Because some activities in traditional agriculture have to be done physically, the new legal mechanisms may prove ineffective. The article identifies contemporary challenges to labour and agricultural law that need to be implemented, due to technological advances. De lege ferenda postulates have been identified in relation to remote working in agriculture, precision farming, agriculture 4.0, or the Smart Village concept. At the same time, it is emphasised that the implementation of all these mechanisms and legal solutions will not be effective without adequate funding.