Monday 25 December 2017

"of Hope over Exploitation"

"of Hope over Exploitation"

A Christmas message for those who worked hard (yet with a meager pay and unjust agreements)
yet (still) yearning to celebrate with their loved ones
This Yuletide season



At first, this person is conveying a joyful Christmas and a promising new year to each and everyone. 

And ideally, that holiday is all about spending time with family and friends. That in spirit of Christ's birth and It’s about creating happy memories that will last a lifetime.

However, it cannot be denied the fact that under Capitalism that humanity hath becoming a cogwheel supporting an establishment’s existence.

Driven by its desire to survive if not to support itself in a time of endless crisis, one would say that humanity has almost sacrificed its right, and one of which is celebrating holidays like Christmas.

Knowing that as any other holiday, those who chose to work on that special day is driven by the fact that double pays are its by-word, and with rising costs facing upon them it made one after another be sneered by the fact that sacrificing holidays for a double pay work would be better just to earn be it for themselves or for their families as idealised.

It may sound offensive to some, but, as everyone concerned would say that people from all walks of life are meant to be enjoying with their families in spirit of the season, of giving them a just wage and less expenses rather than forcing them to work for long hours, and treating holidays almost as privileges as they compelled if not forced themselves to work on days supposed to be enjoying in a special day such as Christmas.

As an observer, celebrating holidays under Capitalism is becoming a privilege- especially to those who are burdened by their tasks yet given less pay. Ideally to celebrate it is truly a right for them like any other weekend; but with compradores or profiteers wanting to rake profits, and at the same time rising costs of commodities and taxes loom up, isn’t it that obvious for a labourer to end working even in a holiday? Shoemart, known for its contractualisation did even made its workers compelled to work 24 hours whilst others are enjoying their breaks.

In an article from GMA news, it saidth:

“At least 21 SM Markets will be open 24 hours a day on certain days this month to allow shoppers to go for a grocery run any time of the day or night during the holiday season.

These special operating hours will be in effect in the days leading up to Christmas Eve and again just before New Year's Eve.”

What more that they are being paid in their ordinary, unjust rates besides being deemed contractuals whose contracts are limited to five months and be disposed right away, if not that same establishment which was also behind the arrest and imprisonment of its employee who stole a can of corned beef out of being hungry, that shows that they all worked hard yet with meager pay and rising costs affected their health and perhaps resorting to issues like those.

For these examples, one would say that this ain’t service to the people, but rather exploitation! If not mistaken the only jobs that are continuing including holidays are those who are in the service of the state, particularly those from health, sciences, to those of national defence; but that service is tempered with their just right to enjoy holidays with their families, not affecting their payslips contrary to those from the exploiters from the private sector.

For sure as Greedy capitalists they will always find ways to siphon money from the people's pockets, of forcing its workers to work long hours including those of holidays for pittances and double pays, while at the same time being hailed as philanthropists for assuming to act as if benefactors to every institution be it orphanages or funding community housing projects; if they truly acting as beneficents, then how about their workers? Do they truly given a just wage and a good condition enough for them to uplift themselves and their families and never for them to compel to work during the holidays?

“How intense Capitalism is” said one commentator. “While the profiteer rakes more profits its workers depend in a pittance thrown unto them. And if they argue for having low wages and long working hours they are being fired!”

For sure some would say it is their right not to work during the holidays, but again the crisis-marred truth has made each and every labourer who supposed to enjoy with their family or friend be end working thinking that with every double pay, or with every additional pay for working overtime as enough to free from the crisis that hinders their development.

But instead turning themselves as cogwheels in a machine meant to siphon profits for those who desperately seeking interests. From their limited term contracts to low pay, it made them that way as if life goes on no matter how unjust. How nihil indeed then- for the nothingness these profiteers showed towards their labourers made them less Christlike no matter how they appeared Christian on the eyes of others but acting like Mammon’s servants to those who worked long hours including those of holidays! Perhaps in this season, may the good Lord help them help themselves be given justice from their unjust settings- it may sound impossible for their masters to give them what is due, but if their consciences be least knocked the way they sought towards the destitute, then perhaps give them what is meant to be deserved.

And no matter how they struggled out for retentions, of additional pay in an expense for a special day, for sure some of them are desiring to rekindle past memories with their families and friends, of sharing gifts and happiness, knowing that in spite of double pays, it does not equate to the happiness they wished for in a form of a presence, smile, even a warm embrace and a kiss from a loved one.