Viewpoint: Dignity of work and the common good

Paul Donovan

The dignity of work and the common good are two concepts that lie at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching. Both have been very much centre stage over the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. People have come together in community to support each other via mutual aid groups, food banks and homeless support. Social media platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter have enabled a connectivity in communities that would otherwise not have been there at times of social distancing.

In the area of work, it has been the frontline workers in the NHS, care sector, supermarkets, street cleaners and those operating public transport, who have really gone the extra mile in order that society can continue to function. Many of these jobs have not been valued by our society.

Even after the fantastic work done by nurses, the reward has been a derisory pay offer, in no way reflective of their contribution to the common good of all. Zero-hour contracts are a staple of the care sector, with workers who do vital service in care homes, as well as coming out to people in their own premises, being forced to live a hand-to-mouth existence, with no security of employment.

The time has come to reassess what is really important in our society. Two important contributions to the debate have come from Catholic Labour MP Jon Cruddas with his book 'The Dignity of Labour' and philosopher Michael Sandel with 'The Tyranny of Merit - What's become of the common good.' Both authors address how work and the merit of the common good have become devalued. Many people do not feel appreciated for what they do either in monetary terms or just basic respect.

The growing polarisation of wealth has been reflected by the way Covid-19 has hit the poorest areas hardest. The worst Covid-affected parts of the country also happen to be the poorest. Cruddas and Sandel argue for better rewards for jobs, as well as security in work. Security is not provided by zero-hour contracts or the vagaries of the gig economy. There needs to be a more just distribution of wealth across the board, with good jobs being provided for all. Green jobs should also be at the forefront, helping counter that other growing crisis with the climate and biodiversity.

Cruddas and Sandel offer some pointers to a way forward but this debate needs to be taken up as the country comes out of Covid-19. The parameters of work and society need to be reset with an emphasis on the common good and the dignity of work.

And the Catholic Church has a role to play, as a centre for this debate to take place. Maybe, Cruddas, Sandel and TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady could help kick off discussions as to where we go from here?

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Paul Donovan is an award-winning Catholic journalist and Councillor for Redbridge. See his blog 'Between the Lines': https://paulfdonovan.blogspot.com/