By Doris Ochei

“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Dignity is a very important component of everyday life; that is why it is at the core of this article. For me, dignity is the inalienable right of a person to be valued, respected, and treated justly under any condition, regardless of status. That is why the dignity of labour, sometimes referred to as the dignity of work, will remain an interesting topic as long as human beings live on planet Earth.

There is a universal and unimpeachable truth about dignity and labour. According to a widely accepted concept, the dignity of labour “is the philosophical holding that all types of jobs are respected equally, and no occupation is considered superior, nor should any job be discriminated against on any basis.” In other words, all forms of legitimate jobs are equal. As a matter of fact, no profession, no matter how respected or revered by society, has any claim of superiority over another legitimate profession.

I can personally relate to this perspective on labour and dignity from my youthful years; that is why I cherish my childhood days. Growing up, I witnessed a sense of harmony among working people. I saw medical doctors, teachers, public officers, artists, health workers, contractors, artisans, community leaders, and farmers who worked honourably to earn a living. In those good old days, people who understood and appreciated the concept of the dignity of labour recognized and respected every job, even those that seemed lowly at face value, because they knew what was at stake. The truth is that people of that era simply wanted to earn a living legitimately, without succumbing to today’s relentless social pressure to stand out, make it big, and live extravagantly, even when they lack the means.

For many years back then, workers and families known for various professions worked diligently and with pride. The fortunate ones, it must be emphasized, became deeply rooted in their fields and built good names that eventually outlived them. It is also important to note that workers of that time operated with the mindset that a good name was better than riches or unmerited opportunities. Therefore, they gave their best to their work.

One remarkable aspect of that era was that service took precedence over profit and self-interest. As young people growing up in such an environment, we observed from a distance, but the lessons on diligence, good conduct, legitimate work, character, and respect for people were not lost on us. Today, I still wonder, and I am sure others within my age bracket do too, why profiling and discrimination based on occupation were uncommon back then. People were respected for the jobs they did, whether they were teachers, farmers, labourers, or artisans. The dignity of work was deeply ingrained in life, and workers held prominent positions in many towns and communities because they were highly respected for reasons that were evident.

However, today, there is a noticeable gap between labour and dignity. It becomes easy to see the difference when we compare life back then with what we see now.

So, what went wrong? What happened to the dignity of labour?

The most worrisome issue regarding labour and dignity is the “get-rich-quick” syndrome. This moral deficit, now prevalent in our society, is making lives miserable. Everywhere you turn, there is someone engaging in unethical activities because society is failing its people. Moreover, society seems to have lost the concept of rewarding good behaviour. People no longer care about communal parenting and Africa’s time-tested culture, which once made it almost mandatory for every adult to watch over the children in their community.

Today, relationships are changing, along with institutions and cultural norms that were once held in high regard. For any discerning mind, it is evident that young people are now under immense stress. Many of them experience financial anxiety due to the pressure to accumulate wealth and “live the life.” Yet, only a handful are willing to work hard and earn money legitimately. What matters most now is making money as quickly as possible, regardless of the difficulties, risks, and sacrifices involved. For these young people, the outcome is everything, which is why they believe the end justifies the means. This is further exacerbated by the fact that they grow up in environments that offer little in terms of promoting good behaviour and a strong work ethic.

Unlike in our days, some young people today seem oblivious to society’s expectations of acceptable behaviour. More often than not, they cross ethical boundaries in pursuit of their dreams, even when their actions infringe on the rights and privileges of others. But must we continue down this path? How can society rescue itself from this downward spiral?

To safeguard our collective future, we need to communicate more, interact more, and learn more. It is never too late to start again, and I believe there could not be a better time. As individuals, we have the opportunity to rekindle the dignity of labour. To begin with, we must stop judging people based on their jobs, status, or social standing. Every profession deserves recognition and respect.

Education is also critical. As we seek to change our orientation and attitudes, we must also actively promote the best values wherever we find ourselves. Additionally, it is important to treat others the way we want to be treated.

However, as we discuss labour and dignity, we must also highlight opportunities for growth and development in our immediate environments. We must make a difference, no matter how small, in our spheres of influence. For instance, ensuring that people are fairly compensated based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and contributions to society will go a long way in transforming our world.

As we work to earn a living and provide for our families, we must remember that our actions, no matter how small, have the potential to influence others, especially young people who constantly look to us for guidance and direction.

Dr. Ochei, a business development coach and gender advocate, writes from Lagos.