It once used to be solely a matter of raising the salary, with or without a preceding strike. Not anymore. Workers have additional (justified) demands; they refuse to put up with violence in schools, in hospitals, on buses etc.. They demand besides anti-violence measures, better working conditions, especially less working hours, decent recreation facilities. Teachers, medical personnel, drivers, threaten to desert their working place if their demands are not met.
Demographics is growing at quite an alarming pace in certain circles in our country. I believe increase in demographics, causes crowdedness which in turn brings about violence . It also has a bad impact on the country's economic ability.
Politicians are not capable of dealing with this issue; in fact with any serious issue, and poor governance prevails. The approaching general elections won't solve a thing;just the usual waste of time and money.
Workers (inclusive teachers and doctors) are not as professional as it used to be in the past when standards required were much higher. Moreover, few or no digital 'toys' were available then. Now wherever one looks, at any hour of the day - people are 'glued' to their smartphone and tablet. Work can wait, service can wait.
Well, we can't give up digital 'toys',can we; just as we can't give up polluting cars - so what's to be done? Not much...
Perhaps if politicians represented all social classes, ethnic groups and both genders, they would serve their electorates more fairly.
ReplyDeleteThey do represent more or less all layers of society, but here's the problem: the various interests seem to be unbridgeable.
DeleteI think we can give up the digital toys or not allow them to have control over us. It is sad though because in schools (here at least in Phoenix) the kids are given tablets to do their work on instead of text books, etc. I know we are living in the technology world, but some old school practices might be in order. I've witnessed a teacher's strike when my kids were in school and a garbage collectors' strike. Neither were pleasant to deal with and I'm not sure the "effort" of the strikes was worth the outcome of it for all involved.
ReplyDeletebetty
Indeed, Betty, digital devices are beneficial as long as they don't have control over us.
DeleteAs for strikes, they are definitely not desirable and not pleasant to deal with.
I enjoy reading your words. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Hi Regine. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteWe have a worker shortage
ReplyDeleteThere's worker shortage in many places, for various reasons: people want more money, but also better conditions.
DeleteNotice the 8 legs on the spider
DeleteOur digital things seem to have taken over. People can't put them down.
ReplyDeleteSo it would seem. I've heard of people fined for using the smartphone during work. It doesn't scare them though.
DeleteWell, our kids drive an electric car. I have high hopes.
ReplyDeleteGood for them! I suppose they greatly enjoy their driving. Next stage, would probably be a solar driven car:)
DeleteIt's as if the pandemic just made things more difficult that we took for granted, but it was probably coming anyway. Unfortunately. Yes, violence has always been hard on teachers, and it is growing everywhere. Really, those elected need to strive for better work places and wages. Although, it's a fleeting nice thought. Just throw some money at it and watch it burn. Or so it seems in the states. We have a bunch of stagnated folks on both sides...which leads to more gridlock.
ReplyDeleteI worked as a teaher for several years, so I know all about it. Let me say that I don't recommend it as a profession.
DeleteDuta, before people were satisfied with few or no technological elements, today those who do not have the latest mobile model feel frustrated, moreover, when they manage to obtain it in a short time, they want the model that came out today.
ReplyDeleteTrue. This sometimes looks insane to me. And the money that all these new models cost !!
DeleteWhat you say is so very true. When two of the grandchildren came to stay the past weekend (every second weekend they stay) we actually sat at the table and played a board game two days in a row - wow, so good to get the children and us away from those phones, games etc...
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for kids to stay away from digital games, but possible and desirable. A lot depends on the grown-ups, and the example they give to the younger generation.
DeleteBom início de mês de setembro minha querida amiga Duta.
ReplyDeleteOh , yes September, the first month of Fall here. Wishing you a good start too!
DeleteI have a smartphone, but I only use it for phone calls, text, and taking photos. No internet. In our small town, people are not that glued to their phones, but I'm always amazed when I go to a bigger place. I just don't get it. So glad I spent most of my life talking face to face.
ReplyDelete'talking face to face' - we miss that. (my uses of the smartphone are the same as yours).
DeleteThis is very interesting. Thank you for sharing it. Wishing you well, my friend. Have a wonderful Wednesday night!
ReplyDeleteThanks. September is here. Wishing you the start of a wonderful Fall season!
DeleteOh how I dislike all this technology Duta, there's nothing worse than sitting in a group of people and they are all glued to their mobile phones! Having found a friendly community on the new allotment I am growing veg on technology is not required! phone stays in the car and it is so refreshing to not feel I have to be there to answer it all the time. Social media is not good for us in large doses. Ref strikes we have plenty here postal, rail, and more - I feel this country needs to stop whining and knuckle down as we have tough times ahead.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of techno- use is dangerous too; people going on the street with their eyes on the phone only, bus drivers using the phone while only partially watching the traffic etc...
DeleteThe veg allotment is indeed a positive, refreshing thing which creates for you an entirely new world. Enjoy it!
Times are always changing/evolving and not always for the better.
ReplyDeleteOne thing our family insist on is no phones at the dining room table. It is so nice to be together to enjoy a meal and talk/listen to what others have been doing.
Have a good month of September, I am finding the days pass by so quickly.
All the best Jan
No phones -that's part of today's good table
Deletemanners.
Have a happy start of the Fall season, Jan!
Times have indeed changed, Duta. I'm glad I'm not out there in the midst of it all now.
ReplyDeleteWell, Pauline, being retired it's our privilege to keep apart from the mess and changes that define present times.
DeleteI have and use a PC, only...desktop computer. No mobile/cell phones etc., for me. Old-fashioned I am, and old-fashion I shall remain. I'm against unions...always have been, always will be.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too fond of the current state of things...hence, I'm happy to remain old-fashioned...remain back here in the "dark ages"! :)
Dear Lee, I'm afraid it's the present age that fits the description of 'dark age' with all its events and happenings. There's nothing wrong with being 'old-fashioned'.
DeleteYes the younger generation does not know the meaning of hard work I am afraid. It is hard to find workers now for the restaurants here and thus they have to close 3 days a week now. Very hard on small businesses when they cannot find workers. Workers they do have seem more interested in their phones than service. Janice
ReplyDeleteRight, Janice. There's shortage of workers for no other reason either than young people looking for easy work with bigger money. Gone are the days of diligence and modesty.
ReplyDeleteBoa tarde minha querida amiga Duta. Passando para desejar um bom final de semana. Grande abraço carioca.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Luiz. A good weekend to you too!
ReplyDeleteEs de justicia, que no se acepte la violencia en ninguna de sus formas, y como también es de justicia que se exijan mejores condiciones laborales. Y yo pienso, que si se rebajaran las horas laborables, por ejemplo en un diez por ciento, esto daría lugar a más puesto de trabajos, ya que con las nuevas tecnologías cada vez hay menos personas con trabajo.
ReplyDeleteEn cuanto al uso de los teléfonos móviles, hay que tener mucho cuidado con la edad con que se les entrega a los niños, ya que últimamente, estoy viendo a pequeños de seis o siete años con móviles sentados en los parques, en lugar de estar jugando, y por ejemplo, en un restaurantes, hace unos día vi a tres pequeños con sus padres sentados a la mesa, donde todos tenían sus ojos puestos en sus móviles, y nadie hablaba entre ellos...cosa, que me dio mucha pena.
Un abrazo, amiga, y cuídate mucho.
I totally agree with your words, Manuel: violence is unacceptable, less working hours could mean fewer jobless people, mobiles should not be given to little kids as it deprives them of playing activities, and of interaction with other kids and grown-ups.
DeleteHugs and blessings to you!
I don't know if I agree about workers being less professional -- not that one doesn't see that now and then but in my experience, it's very rare, especially teachers, medical professionals and retail staff. (Don't start me on builders or repair people, though... I suspect they are so busy they don't feel the need to call back, but it would be nice!). As for digital, I've noticed a big change with that too. All well and good for the safety and convenience of it but I sometimes wonder if it's making people less comfortable in face-to-face communication situations.
ReplyDeleteI accept and respect your views, Jeanie. Each and his personal experience. Perhaps, I'm too harsh; what do I know.
DeleteAs for digital, it seems to have almost replaced face - to - face communication.
i remember when I and my brother were young we used to play in the garden outside. Nowadays kids are sitting in the rooms playing computer games...
ReplyDeleteExactly. In a way, technology has robbed kids of their childhood.
DeleteIt seems we all have a form of digital toy, some more useful than others, myself included. But not letting these electronics control us is what is important and sadly that seems to be what so many are doing. Most days, I can hardly take a walk downtown without seeing so many people looking at a cell phone instead of what is around them.
ReplyDeleteThere's great danger when people look at the phone or tablet, instead of what is arround them. Incidents and accidents might happen.
Delete