The Dignity Of Work And The Rights Of Workers

[tadoflamb]

I thought it would make for an interesting topic. From the USCCB website:

The Dignity Of Work And The 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 the 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.


Scripture

• Genesis 2:1-3
  God rests on the seventh day.
  
  
• Genesis 2:15
  God settles man in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
  
  
• Deuteronomy 5:13-15
  The Sabbath is for everyone—all are allowed to rest from their work.
  
  
• Deuteronomy 14:28-29
  The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others.
• Deuteronomy 24:14-15
  Do not withhold wages from your workers, for their livelihood depends on them.
  
  
• Sirach 34:20-22
  To deprive an employee of wages is to commit murder.
  
  
• Isaiah 58:3-7
  To observe religious practices, but oppress your workers is false worship.
  
  
• Jeremiah 22:13
  Woe to him who treats his workers unjustly.
  
  
• Matthew 20:1-16
  All workers should be paid a just and living wage.
  
  
• Mark 2:27
  The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
  
  
• Luke 3:10-14
  Practice integrity in your work.
  
  
• Luke 12:13-21
  One’s worth is not determined by an abundance of possessions.
  
  
• James 5:1-6
  Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

 

[Kenny G]

I think this important topic. Many worker don't get good deal.

 

[Tigger45]

I live in a right to work state and feel it definitely works against the laborer.

 

[Fantine]

Our state legislature is currently considering two bills supported by the Chambers of Commerce.

One would reduce unemployment benefits to 4 months. During recessions, 4 months might not nearly be enough. This is also the case with older workers. My husband received unemployment three times, and reached the 6 month limit once (he didn't get a job for 8 1/2 months.)

One thing people don't realize about unemployment is that employers are loathe to hire "overqualified" people because they think they'll keep looking (and of course they will).

The other bill that's being considered would reduce worker's comp liability to 9 years--even if a 20 year-old fell off the roof and was paralyzed for life. Do they think permanently disabled people cease being disabled after 9 years?

The erosion of worker benefit will coincide with continuing automation, putting stress on jobs, loosened workplace safety rules (meaning more worker accidents), etc.

And of course, it hurts blue-collar manual workers, who sometimes seem incapable of looking out for their own self-interest, most.

I would bet they're not even aware of the legislators in the capitol plotting to throw them under the bus

 

[Davidnic]

You can even go back to Leo XIII and his landmark work on this (http://w2.vatican.va/content/leo-xi...nts/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html) as well as Pope St. John Paul II and his reflection on the centennial (http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-p...s/hf_jp-ii_enc_01051991_centesimus-annus.html).