‘Charity’ begins in the workplace

ON WORKERS’ Day, May 1, I was listening to a radio discussion on the rights of workers. A caller mentioned that “a lot of bosses donate to worthy causes, but fail to pay their workers a living or decent wage”.

The business community needs to be commended for donating to various charities to provide some relief to the less privileged and homeless. They should be admired for their kindness and philanthropy, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the real opportunity for big-heartedness, generosity and goodwill for bosses is more expected inside the workplace then elsewhere.

Together with donating to charities, bosses should look at their own workers first, by paying a living wage before giving to charity. If business leaders honestly cared about eradicating poverty, paying people a living wage would come first.

Employees also want to succeed, prosper, educate their children, participate meaningfully in the community and be givers of charity instead of just receiving charity. Bosses need to understand their wealth come in part from labour, and they should do more to share it with workers.

In many ways, workers’ complaints and struggles signify the wickedness of an economy that makes workers work, but keeps them in debt and poor. Companies that pay a living wage should be acknowledged by the government through an incentive or accreditation.

MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg