Christians Approaches to Issues Related to Employment

Wages and industrial action (Strikes) 

A wage is payments for work done. Payment is in modern times done according to hours, weeks or days that one works.

Christian teachings on wages

• ​Human beings have the right to work for a decent living (Matt.20:1 — 16) They should be paid for their work
• Workers should be paid wages to the amount and value of their work (1 Timothy 5:18)
• Wages should be paid as agreed upon (Matthew 20:13)
• Employers should not take advantage of the poverty of the employee (Deuteronomy 24: 14— 15)
• Human beings should not be enslaved to work (Ex.5:22 — 23)
• Employers who degrade their workers in wages are condemned (Deut.24:14 — 15, Jer.22:13)
• Oppression is condemned (Amos 5:18, 8;4)
• Workers wages should never be withheld (James 5:4)

Industrial action

Also commonly called Strike’ this is an effort by workers to stop work in protest by boycott go-slow sit — ins or refuse to work. There has been increase of industrial action in the recent past in most countries of the world,

Reasons for industrial actions

• ​Due to increased awareness of workers rights
• Exposure to global trends through the media
• Formation of trade unions that fight for the rights of workers
• Due to poor working conditions
• Underpaying workers
• Threatening workers with unjustified dismissals
• Suspending the workers / interdiction — unjustly
• A hostile working environment

Results of workers strikes (industrial / action) ​

1. Pay cuts
2. Demotions
3. Loss of jobs
4. Employers suffer losses
5. Inflation
6. Injuries even death when confronted by police
7. Victimization of some individuals
8. Bitterness among the workers and employers

Christian approaches towards strikes

• Christians recommend a peaceful co—existence between workers and employers
  
• There should be fairness, justice, love among workers, employees
  
• There should be an open communication channel across the ranks from top to bottom
  
• Employees should not destroy property
  
• Working conditions should be better and improved
  
• Employees to be human when dealing with employees