What concerns occupy the average worker's mind throughout the day? We're asking this question because we've noticed something through all these years of hobnobbing with workers from different parts of our archipelago: small is the world of the ordinary Filipino worker.
There are but a few things that occupy his mind day in and day out, and these usually have something to do with his family, his possessions and the things he wants to acquire. Ask him anything outside of these concerns and perhaps the answer you'll get is a bewildered glance or a blank stare. Ask him about quality at work and he'll most probably frown because he wouldn't know what you're referring to.
Ask him what he knows about the Philippines; he probably won't say anything substantial. He knows much less about other countries--for him, "abroad" means only the United States and Saudi Arabia--and don't wonder if he doesn't even know the ASEAN member states.
He doesn't have much to say either about environmental concern and recycling for these ideas are alien to his mind. He's not even aware of his rights as a worker; how would he be interested at all in anything outside of his little world?
What are the reasons the ordinary Filipino worker's world is so small? Inadequate education in school, at the workplace, in society? A lack of concern from his fellowmen? Is he by nature narrow and shallow?
Let us help the humble worker broaden his knowledge and his horizon, so that he may learn to include in his embrace mankind and the world outside of his family and his needs.
Long Live the Filipino worker!
You can read the Filipino version of this article here.
Taken from Blue Collar magazine
