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In Wales:
a job that enables them to live a good life in which their basic needs are met

By this definition, so long as the bag fillers are paid enough - yes.

Which is rather the problem, philosophically.

DeAnander and I have sort of discussed in comments and diaries the notion of the return of "feudalism." I think that's what this "decent work" concept doesn't really address.

We're developing an unequal economy. The "decent work" notion addresses the first problem that those on the bottom are often starving and lacking basics.

But however you provide these things (and this is largely a concept of a minimum wage) there remains the issue of power inequality. And dignity.

In parts this is very complicated. After all, why shouldn't my elderly aunt be able to go to the supermarket and wander round, choose the things she wants, put them in the trolley and then be aided at the checkout by someone more physically agile? Could it not be humanly and socially rewarding to be a "bag filler" in this scenario?

Of course at the same time, it's easy to conceive of situations where being a bag filler has less dignity to it.

And none of these problems about "service work" - (being a servant?) broach on the issue about fulfilment...

(To be clear I think solving poverty is a positive step, I just worry that you can do it and still leave power inequalities buried in the structure of the economy when people are classified as "not in short supply.")

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Tue Oct 7th, 2008 at 08:30:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Power inequality is a really important issue to raise and a very difficult one to address, since it requires a culture change that certainly in the UK doesn't look likely to happen. Could it work in other societies this is a global campaign after all?

eg with the view being that no matter what the work is, everyone is making a positive contribution and are able to earn a living from that.

There are so many jobs that I can't see a way of making them fulfilling in themselves, but if working in decent conditions at the very, least some fulfilment can be gained from working in a good environment, and interacting with other people.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Oct 7th, 2008 at 08:44:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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