by Nicasio Angelo Agustin
What if, instead of a Labor Day, there’s an international “Business Day”? How would it be celebrated both internationally and domestically?
Labor Day has long been celebrated worldwide in various forms and substances. In some countries, especially in the more developed nations, it is an opportunity to demonstrate the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations. In most developing countries however, Labor Day is the day for the labor sector to air their sentiments and grievances which range from unfair labor practices of the business sector, meager wage rates, low minimum wage, worsening living condition of laborers and ordinary workers, exploitation of labor by other economic forces, among others, which are usually expressed in more rowdy yet dramatic fashion as street demonstrations and rallies to more diplomatic means such as management-labor dialogues and job fairs.
Most times, the labor sector is seen as the disadvantaged, vulnerable, marginalized sector in a simple 2-agent economy. The business sector is always seen as the culprit of the plight of the poor, the abusive exploiter of the labor force and all other resources of an economy.
A “Business Day” is a celebration to allow the business sector to defend itself, and bring to the attention of the public what the business sector does, what it really is, and how it operates and the many gains that it generates for the labor and the total economy. The business sector will not miss a segment to also air its many aspirations beyond mere profit to make its performance better and more efficient. The celebration could perhaps be less dramatic but more elegant, dignified yet absolutely of equal importance to Labor Day.
The whole day celebration starts with a grand parade of all business establishments in their decorated floats displaying their huge investments that generate job opportunities for the population, their products and services whichhave gained prominence in international and local markets, their innovative and effective production and marketing processes worthy of ISO awards and certifications, their employees’ welfare and productivity incentives that benefit 100% of their work force, their human resource development programs intended to capacitate their workers and bring the quality of their skills at par with international standards, and their corporate social responsibility programs intended to share the profits they generate with the poor segments of the society and for the total amelioration of the conditions of the poor, the oppressed, the victims of natural and man-made disasters!
The most awaited portion of the celebration would be the voluntary announcement of an across-the-board wage increase much higher than what the labor sector has been negotiating for, much higher than the basic amount necessary for the ordinary workers to provide for the needs of their families – good education for their children, excellent health and medical services for every member of the family, a set of nutritious food intake to make them productive with their respective endeavors.
There would also be a segment in the celebration where the business sector would air their aspirations, expectations and sentiments. Topping their list would be for the workers to exert conscious effort to continuously improve their level of productivity, to be more creative and innovative, to exercise discretion and initiative, to apply best practices in their individual task assignments, to cut down time and material inputs in doing their jobs, and for them to be less unnecessarily demanding. Secondary to their list yet equally important is for the government to provide clear and concrete form of assistance to young and new entrant-businesses, to establish and secure a conducive environment (including the tax regime!) for businesses to operate, to give guidance on what types of investments could easily prosper and bring about growth and progress not only for individual businesses but for the whole economy, and to set clear business policy directions consistent with and supportive of other development concerns of communities and the whole country. (Here’s hoping our dear readers survived that over-a-hundred-word paragraph—Editors).
It just dawned upon me now that there is no need for a Business Day after all. Everyday could be a Business Day. Businesses are innately responsible and generous entities. They have sincere hearts to look after their people and the communities around them. Yet – like the labor sector – they too have their reasonable, valid demands and expectations. In the end, many of the concerns of the labor sector could be addressed if only the concerns of the business sector are also accorded with proper attention.
Feel free to send your comments to nic_agustin@yahoo.com.
