While the public servants have a shoulder to lean on, the question begs, ‘on whose shoulder does the common man cry?’ In recent days the nation has once again witnessed another upheaval thrust upon our citizens by the directives of others, resulting in stress, inconvenience, desperation and loss to many.
Without a doubt, health and safety standards are priorities at a work place, but what are the standards required of workers in their capacity as public servants? Their primary paid responsibility is to citizens and to nation: to serve, serve and serve. The common saying that ‘Work is worship, Duty is God,’ needs to be studied carefully by public servants who have been directed to sign, leave and collect a salary, drawn from the very citizens’ taxes. This leads us to wonder what has suddenly opened the eyes of workers to these same conditions that they have been tolerating for decades. What is the agenda?
The daily ordeal that citizens are made to endure is a most painful one and their tears surely will not be in vain. Poor folk undergo severe sacrifices: leaving home in the wee hours of the morning, in some instances, travelling long distances, standing for hours in the waiting line and then to be denied service. This is most disparaging. Does the union or the public servants spare a thought for those whom they are paid to serve? Who is there to fight the cause of the ordinary man? Which union ensures that the poor man does not lose his flight because of closure of some office? Will the union look after the health and safety concerns of the patient who has missed his medical appointment abroad on account of union action? Who is there to protect the rights of the common man? I ask, who should be held liable for the inconvenience, distress and financial losses experienced over the past weeks by many unfortunate citizens who dared to request a service that is duly theirs? Where is the conscience, the spirituality and the desire to earn a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work?
However, it should be borne in mind that shutting down offices for such a long time, without an iota of consideration for those on the other side of the counter, is plain blackmail, unjustified, dishonest and unspiritual. While industrial action can be considered a tool of workers’ uplift, there is a limit to everything. Of course, this can only be derived from one’s genuine commitment to the cause that is being fought. Cause of country, workers and service must come before self.
Most certainly, the kind of coverage that the Immigration shutdown has attracted recently reeks of a scent that not does augur well for our people. Apart from the negative impact this problem is creating locally and internationally, the repercussions would be felt long after settlement has reached. Should egoism, greed, arrogance and self-centredness be allowed to continue to feed on this situation? It is a sure recipe for instability, further unrest and dissent in other quarters. A breeding ground for new criminals, I dare say!
Can we not make some sincere attempts to enter into mature, intelligent mediation and bring resolution to this issue? Can we not allow sanity and humanity to guide our leadership style? Of course, people, country, service and spirituality must be at the root of any bargaining process that hopes to end in satisfaction for all. As long as these conditions prevail, there is hope. If not, the backlash of the pressure that is being placed on the nation will leave little time for attrition or change. Should we not take the route of building instead of burning the bridges that uphold our national watchwords of discipline, tolerance and production? If not, we will become victims of our own misdeeds.
Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad
Spiritual Head
SWAHA
