Dignity of Labour
Introduction: Dignity of
labour means proper evaluation of work. Everything has its own dignity whatever
it may be. It is dignified in accordance with its utilization.
Kinds
of labour: Labour is of two types – manual and intellectual. Each of them
should have a dignity of its own. But unfortunately, most of our educated
people have the wrong idea of manual labour. Consequently, they look down upon
the people engaged in manual work. In such a context we should keep in mind
that manual labour has nothing debasing about it.
Manual
labour: Manual labour is at the root of our livelihood. The food, drink,
clothes and houses without which we cannot live are all the gifts of manual
labour. It is manual labour that drives the plough and reaps the harvest. It
grinds the corn and turns it into bread. It spins the thread and weaves our
clothes. It lays brick upon brick and builds our houses. Manual workers are
thus the backbone of a nation. In Western countries, all household work is
done by the people themselves. They have to clean their own floors and wash
their own bathrooms. There is no porter to carry their luggage. A passenger has
to carry his own bag. A carpenter, a mason or an electrician has his own dignity.
Intellectual
labour: Labour of this type is dignified to many. Working in the office,
bank, insurance company etc. is regarded as intellectual labour. It has a touch
with manual labour. The country’s development in the international field
depends on it. Science, literature, culture, technology etc. are the
intellectual labour. But unfortunately, many people in our country still think
that manual labour is not dignified. It is ridiculous to think that a clerical
job is more dignified than manual work in agriculture, horticulture, carpentry,
pottery, tailoring, book-binding, spinning, weaving, dairy, poultry etc. This
false notion should be changed. It is especially important in the context of
the economic realities of the country. Indeed, this dignity of labour may be a
powerful means of combating the problem of unemployment which is becoming large
in our country.
Importance:
Dignity
of labour has an important role in the country. No nation can develop unless
its people undergo any labour. If we consider the developed countries, we find
that the people of those countries did not hesitate but laboured hard. Labour
of any kind is dignified as it can give everything to society. The nation’s
development depends largely on labour. All the great men in the world laboured
hard and achieved dignity.
Difficult
to provide employment: we cannot expect that every educated young man will
be given a secure and comfortable job with a chair and a table and a fan in an
office or in a bank. We must admit that no government can provide employment to
all unemployed youths.
Labour
gives dignity: Hence self-reliance and dignity of labour may be the
only reasonable way to solve the problem of unemployment. We should remember
that God has given us not only heads but hands also. We should fully utilize
these gifts to enrich our lives. Moreover, those who are engaged in intellectual
jobs should do some manual work for keeping a balance between the two for a
normal and healthy life.
Teaching
dignity of labour: thus we should have an ideal position of manual labour in
our society. And for this, the dignity of labour should be taught from childhood.
If every child is asked to do his or her own work as much as possible, it will
be good for the future struggle of life. All of us should bear in mind that
work is worship and in this way, the dignity of labour should be recognized in
its due importance.
Conclusion:
Labour
has its own dignity and appreciation. Labour of any kind pays much more than
anything else. It helps to contribute to the economic development of an individual
and a nation.
