By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
I just finished writing the editorial of this issue when I stopped for a break—for a short meditation. Then I realized that I just dealt with the fault of labor and not the big business. So here it is.
The fault of big business can be summarized in one word, greed. Although greed can be good as a driving force, it becomes really bad when it is coupled with selfishness.
The main problem in our society is the widening gap between those who have and those on the opposite side of the spectrum. How should the latter share from the profits of big business? Profit sharing schemes are usually the first things that come to mind. Fine. But it should not be just in name. It should be meaningful. The share of laborers from the profits should be meaningful, or should be substantial enough. Not just consuelo de bobo.
The propounder of the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT), Shrii P. R. Sarkar, goes even further on his views on mechanization and other labor-saving devices such as robots. Introduction of labor saving devices result in the laying off of workers, and more profits.
Sarkar says that instead of dismissing workers, their time of work should be reduced. Instead of laying off workers, some of their working time should be “laid off.” Instead of working eight hours a day, with the introduction of robots in the production line, for instance, a worker should just be made to work only for five hours for the same salary or even more. This should give him more time to improve himself through further training or more education, or by engaging in the arts or other cultural activities.
This should result in better productivity due to improved quality of the workforce. But laborers just might interpret it as more time for drinking sprees and other vices. So such a program should be done properly and strictly.
So there. The fault of big business is their failure to meaningfully share with their employees the profits of the business and not giving their workers the time and resources to improve themselves and their conditions.
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So many hearts are bleeding for the heroic deeds of our kababayans, the nurses, doctors and other health workers in the frontlines in the war of foreign countries (or their adopted countries) against COVID-19.
Many of them had paid the ultimate sacrifice. Our moment of silence for them. While death might even be good for those who passed on—am sure the life hereafter would be a lot better—those who will suffer are those left behind. The love of a parent is always irreplaceable. Also those of sisters and bothers, or any family member for that matter.
With faith though, everybody will be taken care of. And there is always a positive side to anything, even the worst of situations.
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Just last week, local government officials were talking about mental health issues due to the lockdown and how to deal with these. We are still just starting to talk about these.
Just about a month ago, the international outfit, BetterHelp.com, contacted us online and calling our attention to mental health articles on their site we could publish especially considering the present pandemic. They also asked for a quotation if I were to write articles on the subject matter.
The point is, while we are just babes in the woods when it comes to dealing with mental health issues, BetterHelp had already fine tuned the process of providing online services on mental health. That is, they already have a battery of highly qualified professionals for such and that they have already mastered the process on how to be effective online.
In this country, to further drive home the matter, mental health issues are still a new thing. Even just the mention of it would make people sort of silently squirm. The phrase is still considered derogatory and some would even discriminate against those seeking professional help for mental health issues.
But such issues are real that cannot be denied. Facing these squarely would be for our own welfare, as important as, or even more important than, physical health issues.
In short, we have to do a big catch-up with the rest of the world in terms of our mental health competence and attitudes.**
