“THESE CONCEPTS AND LAWS are more grounded than you think they are”, this distinguished lawyer says to us in front of the class. In emerging with laws, one often gets awoken in understanding timely political news headlines more profoundly, learning that there is more than what meets the eye. At a time when labor is sacred to the country’s survival, we rely on the rules that govern us in protecting our rights. A system is laid out before us; for the common parent to provide for their family, for the student to try and sustain themself, or for the typical person to try and make a name for themselves.
To understand it through the laws that laid it out is one thing, but to understand the underlying reasons why people decide to push through an endless cycle of rigorous work hours is another. Afterall, labor is also an act of love. R.I.P. Emily Dickinson, I wonder what your thoughts are on this.
“Love’s greatest act was to exist not only between people, but within their work as well.”
As the world continues to turn, our nation seems to be slipping off on the brink of an economic crisis. A parent’s ability to balance multiple jobs, the struggling student’s experience in juggling academics and work, and the hellish work environment an intern is supposed to endure, has been normalized. It was etched as a standard of hardwork embedded in the minds of Filipinos. Although often overlooked, deemed for survival, unable are we to notice that in one way or another, it was always for the people they love, the passion they wish to pursue, and/or the life that they long to live. Love’s greatest act was to exist not only between people, but within their work as well.
If only it wasn’t for the system that continues to exploit that love, that passion, as expected to be present when all the worker receives in return are wages that are below one’s supposedly affordable and standard living. The notion of working towards a goal of surviving, providing, or achieving has been weaponized to justify overwork and burnout, as if passion is enough to sustain a livelihood. One should wonder, “At what point do we, Filipinos,keep living like this?”- and I guess we’ll keep on wondering.
In the presence of love in labor, may the people – the nation, also express love, humanity and mercy for the laborers. The law says that all doubts about its interpretation and implementation should be resolved in favor of labor, in the same way that your doubts about voting for certain candidates should be concluded in favor of the laborers. To understand it through the laws that laid it out is one thing, to choose and know which aspiring lawmakers would uphold its duty in hearing out the voices of the laborers is another. Prioritize the latter.
Email me at thebedan_fcr@sanbeda.edu.ph