Reflection on Values in the Workplace

 

In the Catholic Times an article on values, a priest columnist writes about what is Justice and the sharing of brotherly love. Emphasis on priority choice for the weak along with dignity, solidarity and support.

 "These people had names from birth, but they are not called by  these names. She's just an old lady. "I'm just a cleaner who cleans." Those who receive 750 dollars a month are living  together with us. (Do you know the 6411 bus?)

The situation of the socially disadvantaged is  symbolized by bus number 6411 in Korea. This was made well-known by a now deceased lawmaker. The 6411 bus picks up cleaning workers from  early dawn. We are well informed in our society about irregular workers, low wages, poor treatment, and the joys and sorrows of doing hard and dirty work of cleaning.  Usually, done by the elderly and lowly educated groups in a highly competitive employment market.
 

This often stems from social and structural difficulties: economic, educational, and environmental inequality.  As can be seen in the controversy over those born with a gold spoon, earth made spoons and chopsticks, wealth and poverty have a big impact on the lives of individuals, so the welfare system exists and the problem that  calls for an alternative: a rational, just  distribution of wealth.
 

There are  philosophers and scholars who hold that individual ownership and property are important, including liberalism's (Robert Nozick), welfare-state liberalism's (John Rawls), and Philosophical communitarianism (Michael Sandel) they all value equality and compensation for those left behind. All suggest directions for individuals and society to move forward, and the key point is over distribution.
 

Catholic social doctrine recognizes private property. But together with that, emphasis on human dignity, solidarity, goodness, subsidiarity, good use of goods, and priority concern for the weak. It clearly criticizes the monopoly of wealth in Neo-liberal society and values consideration for the socially disadvantaged. Human dignity requires this, and boundaries preventing gold from becoming idols. Economy and justice exist for all  humans.

The method for distribution will be connected  with the means chosen. However, the Catholic Church first presents the values, spirit, and direction that should be contained in a system before it is said to be good. Also, in a rapidly changing world with  economic and technological development, we ask for the responsibility of human beings and society by fundamentally reflecting on what human beings are.

Is it because there is a growing interest in fairness and justice around the world? Michael Sandel's book "What Is Justice?" has sold a lot. But the original title of the book can also be translated as "Justice: What's the right thing to do?" or "What's just to do?"
 

The concept of Justice has many difficult aspects that need to be considered. It includes individual legitimate efforts, fair opportunities, reasonable compensation, strict response to speculation or illegal activities, and a legitimate judicial system, but it also has to be accompanied by values of love, brotherhood, human nature, and the ultimate meaning of life.

The Catholic Church thinks of justice with God, love, spirituality, and brotherhood. And while debate is important about what justice is, we also need to think about what to do and act on it. Christians are asked to repent for their failure in this area— to understand and love their neighbors more.
 

"Blessed Charles de Foucault directed his ideal of total surrender to God towards an identification with the poor, abandoned in the depths of the African desert. In that setting, he expressed his desire to feel himself a brother to every human being, and asked a friend to 'pray to God that I truly be the brother of all'. He wanted to be, in the end, 'the universal brother'. Yet only by identifying with the least did he come at last to be the brother of all. May God inspire that dream in each one of us. Amen. (Fratelli Tutti #287)