Just compensation is really a mere ideal that is often unfulfilled. Human want is insatiable that no amount could approximate satisfaction. The craving for more makes us feel the empty than the filled portion. While the worker deserves just wages according to standards set by law, the same may still not be enough compensation for his labor. Ones pay may be in accordance with minimum standards but may fall short of what is just in relation to the nature of work. The worker’s needs are not often met even with standard wages. The situation is even worse for workers who are not given the minimum wage that is mandated by law. Such situation will place the worker at a miserably disadvantageous position as his unmet needs increase. The gap is not much due to the insatiable wants of the worker but the utter lack of the pay due his labor.
We start complaining when we do not get what is due us. The tendency of workers to seek for just wages according to standards set by law must be respected. It is their right to demand for what is due them according what is prescribed by law. In many instances, workers are forced to complain over unjust wages that fall short of the minimum. These workers do not care too much on getting what is just compensation for their labor, all they need is the fulfillment of the pay due them. The predicament is often caused by employers who deprive their workers of just wages as mandated by law. While they demand honest work beyond regular hours, these employers refuse to give honest wages in return. Many workers, both in private and government, are into this inequitable pit of underpayment.
Good workers must be uncomplaining in doing his task assigned by the employer. For the agreed pay, the worker is bound to perform his duty. As long as the worker is given the pay agreed upon for the work he is to render, there is no reason complaining. Unfortunately though, some workers would want to change the terms of employment for convenience. Instead of doing his task, he would chose to watch over the work of others and assume a different role of his own choice. After agreeing for a particular task at a specific pay, the worker would want to impose changes that will modify the work setup and relationships. Attending to the work of other workers, he starts retrogressing in his performance. The trouble comes when he seeks for the standard pay even while failing in the performance of his duties.
On the other hand, employers who take advantage of the labor of his workers are getting richer at the expense of others. These employers do not deserve raking in the profits of other people’s labor. This is where the inequity between employers and workers need just rectification. It is grossly unfair for workers to be humiliated and berated by employers for failing to do tasks that are in fact beyond their regular duties. Seldom could we find generous employers are depicted in today’s gospel. Nevertheless, we are called to be thankful for what we get for an honest day’s work. If the pay we get is less than what is due us, it is not ours to answer before God. Let us just learn to count our blessings and avoid envying other people. Our feeling of emptiness is often caused by our enviousness of others. We entertain self-pity for getting less than the next person. Let us just pray that we may learn to accept and be contented with our blessings so that we will find happiness and contentment in life.
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