Dignity of Labour
Posted by Asela de Saram in Careers, MiscellaneousDignity of labour is how much we respect all types of jobs and how we don’t feel that one job is less or greater than another. Although this is one of the most essential things we as individuals should develop within ourselves, it is rarely the case.
This happens to be one of the leading causes of unemployment, as people are worried about what others think about what they do for living than getting employed and doing something useful with their lives rather than remaining idle. Its mostly evident in developing countries (such as ours) were people either have too much self-pride or fear of what their family, friends and relatives think about what they do for a living.
In some countries, someone who works two or more jobs (just so he/she could make some more money) is considered perfectly fine and no one bothers about it. But sadly, if someone who holds a decent position in a company does after hours part-time in a place like McDonalds serving food… it is looked down upon by society.
Judging the social status by what they do for a living still existent where we live. It is a common known fact that tillers of land, barbers, potters, leatherworkers, dhobis, carpenters, weavers, and cattle-rearers are looked down upon by society. As pathetic as this sounds, its the evolution of the community and how their status in society are traced; for all these occupations are confined to the lower grades of human dignity.
What people don’t realize is that most don’t do what they do because they have to, but because it is what they chosen career choice. Without each one of them contributing to society in their own way, we would be filled with a lot people doing the same thing everyday; all our lives!
Consider this for a moment, what if our fore-fathers gave up on rock-carving, farming, planting and making furniture, we would not be having a culture, traditions or history.
Another thing that should be brought to light is the fact that men work hard to obtain money; and having gained wealth, they suppose that their money will make their children worthy in the eyes of society. But many such men fail to train their children, as they themselves were trained, to hard, useful labour. Their children spend the money earned by the labour of others, without understanding its true value. Thus misusing the talent that was born in them that should be used to accomplish much good.
Not so long ago, it was considered by many that any sport would be worthless to pursue. But once it became a profession that was paying considerably, it started to climb the social ladder.
Sadly this is the society we live in today!
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July 15th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hi Asela,
Once again full marks for a very nicely written blog entry, which touches on one of the negative points of the society that we live in.
One of the things that you forgot to mention (but you won’t be blamed or critisized for) is the fact that Sri Lankans of all walks of life, while studying in Australia, Canada, US, UK or any other developed country, do all kinds of jobs, sometimes multiple jobs, in order to make ends meet and I know of some individuals who Lecture in the University while doing janitorial work part time. If this were to happen in a country like Sri Lanka, the parent of students would be up in arms with slogans like “Toilet cleaners should not teach our children”, to put it lightly. (Also, have you noticed how unclean some people’s toilets are, because they don’t clean it because it’s a “sakkili” job?)
This problem has its roots in the caste system that was prevalent in Sri Lanka (and still is, to a smaller extent) and is still the word of law in some parts of India. A person born to be a fisherman had no other choice but to be a fisherman. Society would never have allowed him to be anything else. If he was a talented artist
or musician, the limit to which he would have been allowed to pursue his talents would have been drawing stuff on the side of a boat or singing in the company of his friends and family. Talent wasted. Even today, a country like ours gives little chance to someone with real talent.
Back in the discussion of the Dignity of Labour, think about it this way… If everyone were to do so-called “big” jobs, there won’t be much of a society to write home about. It’s the manual labourer who gets things transported, lifted, cleaned and grown. Take this link out and you will be stuck with nothing. Nobody to do the real work. Education is important, but unless it is to change the course of events in the future, it is useless.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Well said Ni! I couldn’t have put it better myself.
You are right, I did miss to mention of the same Sri Lankans in developed countries not feeling the least bit troubled to take up a minimum-wage job. This all boils down to the way we think as individuals.
And you are absolutely right about segmentation of society based on what our fathers or fore-fathers did to make ends-meet. It does have its good and bad points in all aspects.
Thank you for your most valuable contribution to this post.
Cheers!
July 18th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hi,
I guess even in those days there was a comparison among the livelihoods – farmer, soldier, painter, potter etc. These socail prejudices would always prevail, no matter what.
Trying to ‘keep up with the Jones’ is a sad human aspect, where we are concerned about our outlook rather than how practical it is.
Yes indeed, sri lankan’s view 2 jobs to be low end. In the USA, most people have their day job and ‘home’ job.
I guess keeping up with the Jones would actually be facilitated by a second job (on the side!)!
Regarding Dignity of labour: even the garbage man has his own dignity. One thing people don’t look at is the fact that we should respect him for the hardships he undergoes. The garbage man in my neighbour hood, after work, dressers up nicely, turn up his radio in his little shack and enjoys a good evening, smiling with his neigbours.
Community will not remove social stigmas easily. It is upto each and every individual to contribute to its eradication, by changing their own perspectives.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Good mention of some interesting points there Natasha… Thanks!
August 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
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September 14th, 2009 at 11:49 am
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Sorry for offtopic
December 4th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Hi ,
Thanks for great post , i have lot of confusion on dignity of labour before reading your post.
Now its clear on some points , but how its removed from the society.
Thank you!!!!!
December 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Society in general is like a hardened rock… it doesn’t easily accept change, it has taken most centuries to realize the mistakes of the past and adopt accordingly to face the future. Most of the newer societies (US with several 100 years behind them) have adopted faster whereas older societies (such as Sri Lanka with over 2000 years) have wrapped themselves around illusions of limitations in culture, language and caste.
In recent times however, pressure from human rights groups have made it possible to give all men/women equal rights wherever they may be living or working.
And in response to your question of ‘How to remove this from Society?’, well its never an easy thing to deal with but you can make it easier for yourself by not caring about what others think about what you can and cannot do with your own time, money and life. After all, they are not the people putting food on your table and feeding you. Just go out there and stake your claim in that big world!
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February 16th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
that was a good explanation
February 19th, 2010 at 5:59 am
I was confused on what dignity of labour is, until i read your writeup. More greese to your elbow. Thank you
February 19th, 2010 at 6:02 am
I like the writeup
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April 11th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
cool help thanx!
April 19th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
This is all like to change in the future. In our city, the municipal town maintenance workers went on strike. Garbage laid all around. Finally the government had to pay more than the managers pay to remove the garbage and the wages still stay the same. I believe all of us will be getting the same wages in the future. One job is as important as the other. A radio jokey is as important as a carpenter. All the trouble starts due to corruption in society and mismanagement of system. Dignity of labour should be taught in school.
April 20th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
You are absolutely correct. No job is less or more important that another. Sometimes its mistaken pride that makes us forget where we come from… almost everyone has a certain level of self pride and feel that we are somehow better than the person sitting next to us.
Naturally this has been the result of monetary value in the work we do, eliminate this and we would be living in a perfect society where no matter what we do, it would be by choice and not by how much we are worth on scale with money on the other end.
Schools should be teaching Dignity of labour to students but it is also the responsibility of the parents to instill goodness in their children.
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Sri Lanka is a wonderful country but it is really sad that United States or other powerful nations just do not help them. Humanity is at a loss when it comes to serving African people. I feel sorry about it but I do donate through my local organizations.
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Well, I wouldn’t say that… most of the western countries have worse problems than we do. Humanity should not be judged by the colour, culture or the power of nations but the compassion of its people.
And just to set the record straight, Sri Lanka is not in Africa, its a tear-drop of an island just below India.
Check it out here – http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/sri-lanka/
If you ever get a change, you should visit Sri Lanka. I realize it might not be as big and fancy like the US, Canada or any of those countries but it has a unique beauty of its own.
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May 3rd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
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May 4th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
RESPECT,
THE DIGNITY OF LABOUR.
since 17th century labour increased and its value decreased.
THINK A ‘WORLD’ WITHOUT ‘LABOUR’???
WHAT WOULD ‘U’ DO THEN??
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