‘Come on,’ they said, let us concoct a plan against Jeremiah’
(see Jeremiah 18:18-20)
Work is not just a means to earn a living, it is also an opportunity to participate in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then so are the basic rights of workers. From the first pages of Scripture we see that work is an essential part of human dignity, and throughout Scripture there is a call for workers to be treated fairly, and to be paid a just and living wage. In the UK the Real Living Work campaign works to encourage employers to pay their workers a salary which relates to the cost of living rather than the government’s version of the Living Wage.
Scripture reminds us that work and economics is not profit and production but the dignity of the human being. Workers also have the rights to form associations for their own interests and protection which we know as Trade Unions.
There are many ways in which workers have been exploited by the rich. Many of these came to light in the Industrial revolution when workers were paid with low wages and worked long hours or in dangerous circumstances. But this also continue in many ways in our on day, throughout the world and in our own country. There may be examples, too, when individuals are discriminated against with unfair treatment or dismissal, or where bullying takes place in the workplace. All of this undermines the dignity of what it means to be human.
PRAY FOR all employers, that they may treat their workers with justice and fairness, mindful of their needs and dignity
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 