Only by hard work do we progress

I do not sympathise with a section of this society who recently have been crying victimisation over a Government-run employment drive which would see them earning $69 for four hours of work. I find it utterly disgusting that they are so bold as to utter the obscenity that they prefer to engage in criminal activities other than work if their salary demands are not met.

One really has to wonder from where this inherent laziness comes. Our ancestors were either forced to work on cane fields for no pay or were paid less than peanuts for several long days in the hot sun and soot-covered cane fields. Yet they persevered and within years were able to provide for themselves and educate their children so that the next generation would have better opportunities than they had.

Perhaps their wish to ensure that their children never suffer has led to the future generations failing to recognise the value of hard work and sacrifice. Perhaps it is cognitive behaviour that leads to the expectation that someone else must spoon-feed you because you are materially poor. Many of us, including myself came from poor families, but do you think any of us would dare consider committing crimes under the guise of poverty without fearing discipline from our parents?

This problem not only exists in this isolated incident. Everywhere you turn it appears that people are simply not taking pride in an honest day’s work. The public service is infested with them. Every time the citizen has to seek assistance at the various institutions it seems as though these workers believe they are doing you a favour.

Indeed, one employee told me on one occasion that they were under no obligation to do anything for me! No wonder trade unions are kicking up a storm to recent measures that seek to have employees become accountable for the service they provide either by service reforms, or proposed public private partnerships.

Calling on and ensuring that people provide an honest day’s work for pay simply challenges the inherent culture within the public service that you can do what you want, when you want and not be held accountable. Yes, indeed, the cost of living is high and working conditions are bad, and those in authority must be held accountable, but these should never be an excuse not to work honestly.

Poverty should not be an excuse for crime when so many alternatives are available. It is only by hard work do we progress and move up in society. And perhaps if we put our hearts into what we do, we may find ourselves eroding the very problems we cite as reasons not to work in the first place.

Vedavid Manick
Sangre Grande