Posted by Asela de Saram in Careers, Miscellaneous
Dignity 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
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!