THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS

“The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected – the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.” (USCCB)

 

“Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.” (James 5:1-6)

 

Labor is not just a way to earn money, to receive a paycheck. Labor itself is valuable and dignified. Since the beginning of time people have worked to provide for their families and to build self-esteem for themselves. “Work is a good thing for man-a good thing for his humanity- because through work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes ‘more a human being.’” (St. John Paul II, “On Human Work”) Labor, therefore must be not only treated with dignity, and the laborer the same, but must be employed in such a way that both the worker and the work must be seen as having great value unrelated to profit. There are no jobs, therefore, that are undignified by nature. All human labor that is not sinful and is consistent with building a better society is inherently dignified and must be treated with respect.

 

The rights the USCCB enumerated above are not nice things that we should strive for but are essential to the basic dignity of all workers and of human life itself. Work, therefore, must be productive and the worker must “work out of regard for others, especially his own family, but also for the society he belongs to.” (JPII) Workers also must see themselves as important members of a team and not just commodities to be exploited. This assumes the worker will receive a living wage along with opportunities for associations to ensure these rights and opportunities are protected, as well as opportunities for creating a more respectful work environment. This necessarily includes adequate health insurance and the availability of any medical attention required for the safety and well-being of each person.

 

“As the Church solemnly reaffirmed in the recent Council, ‘the beginning, the subject and the goal of all social institutions is and must be the human person.’ All people have the right to work, to a chance to develop their qualities and their personalities in the exercise of their professions, to equitable remuneration which will enable them and their families ‘to lead a worthy life on the material, social, cultural and spiritual level’ and to assistance in case of need arising from sickness or age.” (Pope Paul VI Octogesima Adveniens)