In praise of work

Le Regard Libre N° 63 - Jonas Follonier

It may seem old-fashioned to sing the praises of hard work. This may even seem overblown at a time when so many individuals have had to make sacrifices to fight the crisis collectively. However, it will not have escaped anyone's attention that the health crisis caused by Covid-19 is accompanied by, among other things, an economic crisis, which, according to several well-known analysts who have spoken out recently, could well be even worse. Worse, in the sense that it could result in even more deaths.

Whatever the future may hold for this possibility, a certain attitude naturally comes to mind: «Let’s roll up our sleeves.». That's right. A slogan that, as Franz-Olivier Giesbert rightly pointed out in an editorial in the Point, was once chanted by figures on the left—and even the far left—such as Maurice Thorez, yet today it sounds very right-wing—and, quite simply, outdated.

The thing is, these new prophets claim to have found the key to humanity’s salvation in the idea of a universal basic income. Paid directly by the government to all individuals without any conditions, this income would, according to its advocates, guarantee a basic standard of living for everyone and allow individuals to truly choose how they wish to spend their free time. In the minds of these dreamers, people could indeed devote themselves to painting, sculpting, and making jam.

That's all well and good, except that a human life isn't filled with just love and fresh water; it also requires work. Beyond the highly complex issue of the value of work, paid employment is the best solution humans have found to ensure that everyone contributes to society while being paid for it. The division of labor, for its part, allows for the distribution of talents and skills—and sometimes also of interests and desires.

Admittedly, there is still a long way to go when it comes to working conditions. To deny this would be inappropriate. All work deserves not only a wage, but also a truly free choice—that is, a genuinely voluntary contract between the two parties—as well as a certain degree of transparency on the part of both the employer and the employee, compliance with criteria regarding negative externalities, and so on. However, it would be just as inappropriate to deny that individuals—whoever they may be—must make an effort, especially in times of crisis.

Before we even start talking about what COVID-19 may have taught us, let’s just focus on getting back on our feet together. Let’s get back to work with renewed vigor if we had stopped, and let’s continue with renewed vigor if we hadn’t; let’s help one another, for we know full well that not all of us have the same opportunities to carry out our work under these circumstances, and that our various occupations do not involve the same level of physical or mental strain.

Complementarity is a source of strength for society; when combined with solidarity, it becomes a powerful force. A force capable of pulling a community out of a massive hole. Let’s remember how Germany managed to recover economically after the darkest hours of its history. Let’s remember that most people—good, hardworking people—love their jobs. It’s one of the biggest topics of conversation, right up there with love. For some, it’s even a reason to live.

Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Drawing: © Nathanaël Schmid for Le Regard Libre