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The Dignity of
Work and The Rights of Workers
The Fifth Principle of
Catholic Social Teaching
Our Catholic Bishops have
stated: “Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of
continuing participation in God’s creation. In a marketplace where
too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights
of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the
other way around. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then
the basic rights of workers must be respected – the right to
productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join
unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.”
(1) This Catholic social
justice principle addresses broad and complex issues. Today, let us
consider one aspect – the status of low-income workers in the U.S. –
and consider one approach toward providing a living wage. Even
as the U.S. economy was growing strongly in recent years, median
household incomes and average hourly wages stagnated. Today, about
one-quarter of the nation’s workforce is employed in low-wage jobs,
and low-wage occupations are projected to account for 30 percent of
U.S. job growth in the coming years. Meanwhile, prices for
necessities such as housing, transportation, and child care have
continued to rise for lower-income workers and families. Slowing
economic growth, and a potential recession, place additional,
immediate pressures on the nation’s less-skilled, lower-wage
workforce.
(2) One approach to help
lower wage workers in the U.S. is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
The credit is based on the level of income and number of children.
For example there can be a credit of up to $4824 for a family with
two or more children and an earned income of $15,000. This program
supplements the income of those who are working and helps them meet
their basic needs.
For Reflection and
Discussion: Do you believe the EITC is a good way to
promote social justice for low-income workers? If yes, why? If no,
what would be a better approach? We welcome your views. You can
email your views to
socialjustice@saintannparish.org or mail them to Social Justice
Views, St. Ann Parish, 2900 W. Galbraith, Cincinnati, OH 45236.
References:
1) “Sharing Catholic Social Teaching, Challenges and Directions”,
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (1998), 5 see
www.usccb.org
2) “Blueprint for American Prosperity. Metro
Raise: Boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit to Help Metropolitan
Workers & Families”. Alan Berube, David Park, Elizabeth Kneebone,
Brookings Institute, June, 2008, page 3. see
www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/05_metro_raise_berube.aspx |