Working conditions
When journalists report about strikes, they often speak to workers who are striking to give them a chance to share their reasons. Here are some below:
A doctor from the UK: “I am striking because doctors are underpaid and we have to work too many hours. These working conditions make it unsafe for patients because doctors are often too tired.”
A factory worker from Greece: “I went on strike in March because there was a global event for people to speak out about climate change. I hope the governments realise the power of the people so that we can make change happen.”
A teacher from India: “I went on strike this year because the government will not support me with a good enough pension when I am old. I’ll never be able to afford to give up work.”
These perspectives got us thinking:
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
We are particularly interested to hear about fair or unfair working conditions in your country and what you think should be done.
Read other students’ comments first and let them know if you agree or disagree by using the thumbs icons.
If you want to take things a step further, speak to your friends and family and ask if they have ever gone on strike and why?
Comments (188)
Well, I get all these points and I do support them. In Nigeria, doctors are severely underpaid. I mean I once had a family member who took the statistics. In Nigeria, the time and money you use to study medicine can never be equivalent or even be close to the amount of salary we get. I mean we spend more than half of our lives trying to make back the money used to further our education. I mean that is a good reason to strike. we also have teachers; most teachers are part of the statistic that is underpaid the most. In Nigeria when teachers go on strike the government sometime doesn't even care, around two years ago the government literally told teachers that it basically doesn't care about them. You might ask what about our president well our president claimed that he did not know that ASUU was on strike for almost 7 months. In all honesty I do not feel like the question should be is strike good or not, the question is does strike work and when it does is it in all countries.
I agree because... The only reason why workers go on strike is because they have unsatisfactory working conditions. Yes, I understand why they feel they need to be heard. My uncle is a doctor and he has taken part in a strike before because he feels that they were being underpaid. The reason why workers get jobs in the first place is to get money to provide for themselves and their families so when they feel like they are being underpaid, they go in strikes because it is a good way to voice out their opinions. The recent ASUU strike in Nigeria really had a terrible impact on the students. I entered grade 7 the same time my sister entered her first year in University but I am in grade 10 and my sister is still struggling to make it past her second year because of the constant strikes. All of this problems can be prevented if the government decides to listen to the workers and meet their needs. I think strikes aren't really a big deal, what makes them to last longer is the fact that the government refuses to negotiate with the workers and sort out the problem.
What do you think are some of the reasons preventing the government granting the workers wishes?
Well here are some of the reasons I think are preventing the government from granting the wishes of workers.
1. Overdemanding: sometimes the workers can be overdemanding like asking for more pay, lesser working hours and more holidays. If the officials agree to this, it will lead to less production and more resources wasted.
2. Ignorance: would you believe me if I said that the President claimed he didn't know about the 7 month strike of lecturers? Sometimes the government at a higher level aren't even aware of the strikes happening at the local level and sometimes the local government need help from higher authorities to meet the workers demands.
There can be several reasons why a government may be reluctant to grant the wishes of workers who are striking. Here are a few possible reasons:
●Economic concerns: The government may be concerned about the economic impact of the workers' demands and may be hesitant to grant them if it believes that doing so could harm the economy or undermine the competitiveness of local businesses.
●Political considerations: The government may be wary of setting a precedent or appearing weak if it gives in to the demands of striking workers. In some cases, political considerations may also be influenced by the government's ideological stance, which may favor employers over workers.
●Legal constraints: The government may be bound by laws and regulations that limit its ability to grant the workers' demands, such as laws governing public sector wages or collective bargaining agreements.
●Public opinion: The government may be sensitive to public opinion and may be hesitant to grant the workers' demands if it believes that doing so could lead to negative public perceptions or backlash.
●Budgetary constraints: The government may be constrained by budgetary limitations, and may be unable to grant the workers' demands without compromising other important priorities such as healthcare, education, or infrastructure.
●National security concerns: In some cases, the government may be reluctant to grant the workers' demands if it believes that doing so could pose a threat to national security or public order.
The specific reasons can vary depending on the context and the nature of the strike.
This is very clearly summarised - well done! The government has a lot to balance, that's very true. Do you think strikes are the right response when the government has these larger factors to consider? Do you think there a different route for employees to collectively bargain for better terms?
As we can see, strikes can be an effective way for workers to demand better treatment and working conditions, they may not always be the best response when the government or other larger factors are involved. Strikes can disrupt the economy and create hardship for workers and their families, and they may not always lead to the desired outcome. They can adversely reduce or stop income to the workers or employees.
Collective bargaining is a more collaborative approach that can help workers negotiate better terms and conditions without resorting to strikes. Collective bargaining involves workers and their representatives, such as labor unions, negotiating with employers to reach an agreement on issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. This approach allows workers to have a voice in the decision-making process and can lead to more stable and long-lasting agreements. However, for collective bargaining to be effective, workers must have the legal right to organize and bargain collectively, and employers must be willing to negotiate in good faith. Governments can play a role in creating and enforcing laws and regulations that protect workers' right to organize and negotiate collectively.
Strikes can be an effective tool for workers to demand change, collective bargaining can be a more productive and less disruptive way for workers to negotiate for better terms and conditions. So, strikes should be allowed by the government but there should be certain laws to restrict the illegal acts of employees when they are involved in a strike, which would be a great option to reduce the effects of the strike.
Some of the illegal acts of employees or workers when they are involved in strike:
Violence or threats: Employees may engage in violent behavior or make threats against their employers, fellow employees, or others.
Property damage: Employees may damage or destroy property, such as equipment or vehicles, in an effort to disrupt business operations.
Intimidation: Employees may engage in tactics such as picketing or blocking access to the workplace in an effort to intimidate or coerce others.
Sabotage: Employees may intentionally damage or tamper with equipment or materials in an effort to disrupt business operations.
Harassment: Employees may engage in harassing or discriminatory behavior towards fellow employees or others.
It is important for employees to understand that engaging in these or other illegal acts during a strike can have serious consequences, including the possibility of criminal charges, civil liability, or termination of employment. Employees should work with their union representatives or other advocates to ensure that their protest remains legal and respectful, and that their message is communicated effectively without resorting to illegal acts. So, the employees who were involved in the strike should not attempt any illegal acts.
I agree with you and its important that we hear both the stories before jumping to conclusions. Strikes for the right reasons are not bad. However they should also be done in a way, that it doesn't disrupt the normal lives of people.
Really good job for considering a wide range of factors!
I think the reason as to why the government does not grant the workers wishes is that before every finacial year, the government makes a full budget. And if a strike occurs in the course of the year, the government has to find a way to help every category of people and this may take a very long period of time.
I agree because... Yes, the government makes a budget and submits it in January. Therefore, if a strike takes place, the government has to alter the budget to meet the demands of the workers which could affect other aspects of the country. Sometimes the government may not even be able to meet their needs because of budgetary constraints. Most of the time in a country where the salaries public workers are not normally paid, most of them go on strike. The last strike by lecturers in my country was due to the government not paying the lecturers their full salaries not to mention the promise the government made to increase their salaries as well as funding for the universities.
1. Not giving them their rights to realize their gains
2. Not giving the full salary to work
3. The employer's failure to pay wages to the worker during the strike period
l support your comment because this happened in Uganda the teachers striked because of low payment like every time the ministry of education calls for a meeting,the teachers complain of low payment and are at school from the beginning of the term till the end.
Well I personally don't think any of us can answer this question except the government themselves.but it can be due to the following reasons:
It can be due to the fact that the don't have enough money.
It can be because the government don't pay much attention to the workers needs.
It can be because this is less of their priority.
There are several reasons why a government might be hesitant to grant the wishes of striking workers although I think the government should find means to grant the citizen's wishes as soon as possible because they might never know the situation the citizen is in. Some might include An unwell family member, Money to pay bills, and so on. Below are some reasons that I think the government might be hesitant to grant wishes.
Economic impact: Strikes can have a significant impact on the economy, as they disrupt the production and distribution of goods and services. Governments may be concerned that giving in to the demands of striking workers could lead to increased costs for businesses, which could ultimately harm the overall economy.
Political considerations: Governments may be reluctant to be seen as giving in to the demands of unions or other organized labor groups, as this could be perceived as weakness or favoritism. They may also be concerned about the potential backlash from other groups or voters who feel that the demands of the striking workers are unreasonable or unfair.
Legal considerations: In some cases, the demands of striking workers may be in violation of existing laws or regulations, and governments may be hesitant to break these laws or set a precedent for doing so in the future.
Strategic considerations: Governments may choose to take a hardline stance on strikes in order to discourage future strikes from occurring. This could be part of a larger strategy to maintain social order and stability, particularly in countries where labor unrest has historically been a problem.
Overall, the decision to grant or deny the wishes of striking workers is a complex one, and governments must weigh a range of economic, political, legal, and strategic considerations when making their decision.
I think that there are many reasons why the government is preventing ganting workers from their wishes. This is because maybe paying those workers more will not be enough for other causes. Say a company is under the government they are trying to put less money into a certain cause so it can be spread across many different ones. Also governments cannot afford to let some workers stop working for a couple of days. This is because some governments run on the money made from these businesses. Also if many workers are too outlandish there is a very low chance of their wishes will be granted.
Well, I understand that some doctors may not like the amount of their salary, but for me and for some people, medicine is a humanitarian profession before it is for money, meaning that it is supposed to be the first doctors. How do we treat patients? Or do everything they can to save people's lives. They also have the right to high salaries because they work hard to treat us and save our lives.
I agree because... When you decide to work in am industry that has to do with protection of lives, like doctors and police officers, you shouldn't be in it for the money! The passion should come from a place of love and hope, and should be a selfless act (like a donation to the community). Being after materialistic items isn't the purpose of life, it's about the positive marks you leave and the lives you are saving.
I disagree because... it is easier said than done. The people as doctors and police are also common people like you and me. If they get additional perks, like free schooling, travelling, special status, or exemptions in Income tax, then such they need not worry about money or high salary. However, if they too are expected to take care of expenses like everyone else and have to sacrifice their lives, how can that be justified.
You made me think differently.
I disagree with you because the workers that their jobs have to do with saving lives are also human beings with bills to pay. Therefore if they are paid a little amount of money, they might lose that love and compassion they had for their job which might affect the way they do their job. What I mean by this is that since the worker is been paid less, and he or she isn't able to pay his or her bills, pay his or her children's school fees or eat three times a day, the person might become frustrated about everything and transport his or her anger on their work. So, if you say they should do their work out of compassion and love whiles they are struggling to keep up, this 'compassion and love' will not pay the bills or remove the burdens from their shoulders. I am not saying that the workers should place their whole mind on money, but their salary should be equal to the work they are having. Someone might start teaching due to his or her compassion and love to teach students, but if he or she is not been treated fairly or paid less, the person's love and compassion for the work might die slowly.
I agree with you, there must be good working area, conditions and salary for each employee that is suitable to his job for example Doctors should take good salary with paid risk allowance, so that he will give all his effort to cure patients.
For Retirement Salary, in my country the governmental jobs has this right,but the employee of private companies didn't have this right, but the ministry of work give them the right to take one month salary for each work year after their job end..
For strikes ,it should be done according to steps taken by union of workers and employees to have good result, not to be personal strike..
l agree because even in my country Uganda , teachers are under paid and last year they striked and the government didn't take it into serious consideration in a way that they said that they will be accommodated in the 2023 financial budget and of which they haven't attended to it up to now, hence making the strike to likely be there soon.
I agree because... workers won't strike if they are satisfied with their salary or ok with their working condition.
Well strikes don't work in all countries example Nigeria,in this country they are people who haven't been paid since last year and they have gone on strike yet nothing has changed.
The government should to make delibrate effort to meet the request of their workers
I agree with you because the reason for this strike is, what, unsuitable working conditions such as working long hours and not giving them their wages, as well as negligence of the state and governments and the president’s negligence of citizens who promised to change labor laws for the better.
Good point, what do you think is an example of a good law for employees? For example having regular breaks whilst working, can you think of any others?
Sorry, I didn't understand your question, I meant to give you an example of rest periods and their duration
I agree because all of these are unsuitable conditions for workers in all countries. For doctors, some of them spend almost a quarter of their lives in school so that they can try to receive better paying jobs. Even though this is the case, a lot of the doctors do not gain the money that they spent on school back by working. This means that they spent tens of thousands of dollars for a low paying job. This can cause a lot of doctors to strike, but sometimes, the strikes do not result in any better conditions. This is why I agree with your version of the question.
Why do you think it is that the government doesn't care about teachers, tenatious_drum?
Because of the spread of ignorance and illiteracy, people became not interested in education, and also from the government’s point of view, there are things that are more important than education, but this is wrong because a good government is the one that cares about science in order to elevate its educated youth towards success and strength for the state
Can you say which thing is more important than education?
I disagree because...
I do not think so, because the government cares about the affairs of teachers, because they are a class after doctors. They study and produce generations of genius who are diligent in their work and lessons. This is a very good thing.
I agree because... underpaid workers can lead a string of other problems, such as poverty and a general lack of motivation. These are serious problems that can cause unrest and instability within a nation. Throughout history, almost all nations were born out of discontent, especially the people not getting their fair share. People having the right to exercise their rights is important because it brings to light problems and helps them get solved.
I support you because if people don't strike, the government will not know that people are badly off and need more salary, and this will lead to poverty which may force some people to go and steal hence increasing crime rates.
You are right because stealing is not good so people have to express their conditions through striking.If they keep on doing so,their problems will be solved quickly hence reducing poverty.
I agree because... Yes, a strike is the most effective and fastest way to tell the officials that they are serious about their demands. If the workers have a problem but do not go on strike, they won’t be taken seriously. Everybody has needs which they need to satisfy and to do so they need money. Therefore they need to strike if they feel they are not getting paid adequately. Workers can’t just suffer in silence while the officials take the profit of their hard labour. As you can see through out the years, strikes have been the most effective way for workers to get justice, though strikes have their disadvantages, strikes are still legally permitted. Strikes make the government aware of the problems of the workers.
Thank you When I thought about the long term, I felt that the government should set laws not to stop striking, but rather to set limits on this issue. For example, in my country, Palestine, we have been facing a teachers' strike for about 3 years, and we (students) have been affected a lot, and here we are now. Compressed, and may extend this semester to another month as well. But when the government puts in place a law that prevents workers from prolonging the duration of this strike, this may help us and relieve us from the pressures of the curriculum, but on the other hand, the government may not give teachers what they want, so I think that teachers must take into account the conditions of students while continuing In their strike even if there is a law.
And there is another topic that I want to discuss, why in some countries the employer may abuse the worker and expel him from work just because he has gone on strike or participated in it?? Therefore, I think that a noisy worker should be prohibited from expelling his worker once he participated in a strike, and if the worker is expelled, the employer should be prosecuted and punished.
I agree because... Workers won't go on strike if they are paid a reasonable amount of money.I think the problem is from the government because if they pay workers a reasonable amount of money the workers won't bother going on strike i think the government should work should work on themselves.
I think you are right, but there are other different reasons that people go on strike like, living conditions. Have you ever wondered why doctors and armies are not allowed to go on strike, don’t you think armies and doctors have the right to go on strike
You should think about that.
Where are doctors and armies not allowed to strike?
Thank you for sharing your personal viewpoint and experience regarding the issue of low paid doctors and teachers in Nigeria.
While strikes can be an effective tool for workers to demand better wages and working conditions, their success depends on various factors such as the legal framework, government response, and level of public support. It is essential that workers have a collective voice and be able to negotiate with employers and governments to ensure fair compensation and decent working conditions.
It is also important that governments prioritize the needs of their citizens and provide the necessary resources to ensure quality education and health care. I hope that the situation for doctors and teachers in Nigeria and other countries facing similar challenges will improve in the future.
Those are interesting points. Do you think that the reactions from the government deter people from striking or make them want to strike further?
to be kind of honest it does a little bit of both I mean sometimes because of the pressure that they face they feel the need to face the problem in order not to draw attention to their activities.
The reaction of a government to a strike can have different effects on people, depending on various factors such as the reasons behind the strike, the stance of the government, and the response of the media.
In some cases, a government's reaction to a strike may deter people from striking, especially if the government uses strong measures such as arrests or violence to suppress the strike. This may make people fear the consequences of striking and discourage them from participating in similar actions in the future.
On the other hand, in some cases, a government's reaction to a strike may provoke more people to strike, especially if the government's response is seen as unjust or oppressive. This may galvanize support for the striking workers or protesters, and increase public sympathy for their cause.
Media Coverage: The way the media covers a strike and the government's response can influence public opinion. If the media portrays the government as unjust or the striking workers as heroic, it can increase public support for the strike. Conversely, if the media portrays the strikers as disruptive or violent, it can decrease public support for the strike and increase support for the government's response.
Historical Context: The historical context of a country can also influence how people view a strike and the government's response. For example, in countries with a history of labor unrest, such as France, strikes may be seen as a legitimate form of protest, and the government's response to strikes may be more closely scrutinized. In countries with a history of political violence, such as Colombia, strikes may be viewed with more suspicion, and the government's response to strikes may be more forceful.
Overall, it's difficult to make a definitive statement about whether government reactions to strikes always deter people from striking or make them want to strike further, as it depends on various factors and context-specific variables.
There have been numerous instances in history where a government's reaction to a strike has had different effects on people. Here are a few examples:
The Boston Police Strike of 1919: In September 1919, Boston police officers went on strike to demand better pay and working conditions. The Massachusetts governor responded by firing the striking police officers and hiring replacements. The public initially supported the government's response, but as violence broke out and the replacement officers were seen as inexperienced and corrupt, public opinion turned against the government. The strike ultimately ended with the reinstatement of many of the striking officers and a pay increase for all officers.
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: In June 1989, Chinese students and intellectuals protested in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, demanding democracy and greater freedoms. The Chinese government responded by sending in the military to suppress the protests, resulting in a violent crackdown that resulted in the deaths of many protesters. While the government's response initially suppressed the protests, it also sparked widespread international condemnation and increased support for democratic reforms in China.
The 2019 French General Strike: In December 2019, French workers went on a general strike to protest proposed pension reforms by the government. While the strike initially had limited support, the government's response, including the use of tear gas and water cannons against protesters, increased public sympathy for the striking workers. The strike ultimately lasted for weeks and resulted in some concessions from the government.
I'm not sure about this because... when do you call a doctor underpaid. How can we fix the pay scale for a doctor. They are all not same in terms of specialization, experience and the number of patients with various diseases and issues they face on daily basis. If there are two doctors doctor x and doctor y employed in the same hospital and holding the same specialization degree, when an outpatient fixes an appointment he has the option to select either one of the doctor. If there are more number of patients for doctor x compared to doctor y, how can the hospital management fix a standard pay scale for both the doctor's??
This is a really good point! You have emphasized that strikes might not work in all countries, do you think the international community should interfere? if so, how could other countries or non governmental organisations help the situation?
If people in Nigeria spent that much time and effort to study medicine , they deserve to get higher pay.
Strike (stop working) is a way to get rights ,and it's a right. Teachers , doctors, engineers.....etc all around the world choose strikes after they run out of all the ways to solve a certain issue,and almost all strikes happen because of the salary.
Increasing the life level beside the same salary make a problem.
Workers carry on strikes inorder to press on the decision makers to achieve some of their requirements or improving their work conditions .
Workers should feel fairly, safely and comfortablythat help them to work successfully.
Whose responsibility is it to make sure that good working conditions are met?
The government and the owners of private organizations are the ones to take responsibility of making sure good working conditions are met. If proper measures have been put into place to cover all these needs there wouldn't be strike in the first place. They should try to give listening ears to the cry of the people and provide a better and sustainable working terms and conditions.
I agree because..Employees and workers face difficulties in order to help people, and yet they do not receive satisfactory salaries despite the effort exerted. The owners of institutions and public places must provide appropriate conditions for work so that harmony and love prevail and society thrives.
I agree because... A lot have to be done in order for the public to meet their wants through having continuous meetings with the employees in order to find out the pitfalls which want to affect the public situation or standards in their respective departments of operation.
I agree because... it's the government role to provide people with jobs and increase their income in order to stop strikes
I do not completely agree with your statement. For example, in a country like Nigeria with a population of about 211.40 million citizens, the government will not necessarily be able to provide jobs for everybody. I do agree with you, though, that the government should be able to provide fair salaries and working conditions for those under their employment. I also do not think that it is their duty to increase their employee's income just like that because of a strike, except if the strike is for a tangible reason.
I agree to this . Because some employees and workers are having difficulties helping poor people , However They cannot get enough and satisfactory salary for them despite their hard work , We must put an end For owners of institutions and public places , and provide appropriate work so that harmony prevails between them And the spread of love in society.
You are right but sometimes the government does not care about people's problems and this is what makes people annoyed and they begin striking.
I agree because... Most of the time, government officials have particularly no financial problems and so they tend to disregard the problems of normal people. Humans in general have a lot of needs that need to be met. So workers shouldn't be blamed or stopped from going on strike. But they don't have to go on strike immediately. They can start by doing thing such as electing a representative to present their problems to the officials or singning a petition and showing it to the officials. When none of these methods have any effect,then the workers can resort to going on a strike.
This is true sometimes government are relunctant about the needs of their workers annd this gets workers really annoyed.
I agree because... Yes, if employers take care of their workers, there will be no instance to strike. When there is a harmonious workplace, there will be teamwork among the employer and employees and this could also lead to high productivity. Employers should try their best to keep their employees comfortable because they too can benefit from it a lot.
I agree with you completely. As the employers, its is both their job and their responsibility to ensure that their employees have fair pay and safe working conditions. Their employees are humans too, and they need to realize that satisfied workers means satisfied and progressive company or organization.
If you are a founder, manager, leader of a company, or even a human resources officer, it is your responsibility to ensure that you establish a good work environment for your employees and make sure that team members feel safe and comfortable while working and also feel satisfied with their roles by creating a positive work environment.
The government, high officials, corporations and trade unions should do this
I believe that the government, presidents, officials, and owners of private associations are able to meet good working conditions, and thus measures are being taken for this strike.
Employers have responsibilities for the health and safety of their employees and any visitors to their premises such as customers, suppliers and the general public. As well as these duties, there are regulations to deal with particular hazards and for industries where hazards are particularly high.
The Government, the business organisations and the workers should cooperate to ensure a work environment where there is all comforts to the workers. Similarly, facilities such as health and safety should be provided by every organisation because health is very important to work and without health we can not work and may lose employment. Workers are the assets of organisations. It is the responsibility of each and every person to ensure safe working conditions so that the employees work at their full potential and if all employees are happy with their work, the economy of a country will improve.
I think it is the government or the employer to be responsible for the good working conditions of the workers and servants and also to make sure that all necessary conditions the workers ask are responded to or reacted towards it.
Let's be real
We put pressure on decision makers, but this will not work, as the matter is much greater than we think. If the state could raise the employee's salary, it would have already done so!
But this is related to the state's economy and the economic and development plans set, because the economy is an obstacle!
I expect the government has become accustomed to strikes and sit-ins, as it is nothing new for it
I strongly agree with you, but this does not mean that strikes do not benefit at all. There must be an average solution that satisfies all parties. For example, the problem of low wages with high working hours can be solved by reducing the number of working hours and hiring a new batch of employees, and so on. The salary is suitable for the number of working hours, and this also pushes governments to develop industries and encourage the economy to flourish so that it can increase the salaries of employees
I support you because if the problem of low wages is solved and people are paid according to their working hours, they will not strike. This will also promote development in a way that property will not be destroyed and people will not lose their jobs.
I agree because... When there is a demand interms of request made by a group of employees the demand they raise will be based only on the current sinario .There might be some demand which has long term planing but for a decision maker they have to think and have foresight on decisions they make because it is not only for their benefits but also for the countries economy.
I'm not sure about this because I get how workers want the opportunity for better pay or less hours, but essential workers going on strikes could be a bad idea. Strikes are used to make a difference or come about change. But could you imagine a doctor going on strike during the biggest outbreak of the year? Or a teacher going on strike during or before the biggest test of the year? I get what you say about how workers should feel fairly , safely, and comfortably to help them do their job at the highest ability. But workers of necessity like firefighters, police, and those of the medicinal unit could have that right just to a lower ability.
It is the work conditions that control whether strikes occur or not. Among them are unfair conditions such as bad treatment by officials or failure to provide a suitable place for the nature of work and for the comfort of workers. In addition, this problem will affect their work and not master it properly. At this point, people will consider that the problem is in experience The Worker . Among them are the good and just conditions that relate to the rights that every worker should enjoy, unlike the unfair conditions, by respecting and appreciating the worker, preserving his status, and providing a clean and suitable place for him, or for example, justice and equality among workers, because this has an impact on the worker’s psychology.
So if the working conditions control whether strikes occur, who should control wether good working conditions are met?
The government and owners of private businesses should control whether the good working conditions are met. They have employed individuals to work and it is their responsibility to ensure that their working conditions are suitable.
I agree because... good manners and respect are the most important issues for workers every where that make them ❤️love work as it's part of their life. So when you put things clearly you don't have any strikes
Can you think of anyone who might disagree with you, gragarious_tsunami? For example, in the Topical Talk Festival classroom lesson, what were the reasons for the strikes and what did the different people want?
I agree because... If workers are comfortable in their working environment and don't think they are being underpaid, there will be no incidence of strike. Therefore it is the employer's responsibility to take care of the workers and make sure they are well paid and taken care of. For workers that have dangerous manual jobs like industrial workers, a dangerous workspace could lead to the loss of lives and this is a very good reason to go on strike.
I agree because... Most strikes are done to attain better working conditions.
Organizations make bigger profits while working conditions becomes worse for the staff. Strike is one of the tool used to call the management attention in order to be treated fairly and have equity. It is the last legal option for workers
You used the word equity here, which is very important. Can you explain what it means and how it links to strikes please?
When we are taking about strike, we are trying to bring the governments attention, in this way people are specifically trying to say they should all be treated with utmost standard. But strikes can be very disastrous, and can have a negatives impact on the people receiving the service and if strike is the last option, workers have the legal right to do it.
Equity here means the quality of being fair and reasonable in a way that gives equal treatment to everyone.
In situations were people feel they're not given equal treatment or their rights are being denied could lead to strike.
In my country Nigeria the Academic staff union of universities (ASUU) has consistently gone on strike because they feel that the government is not giving them fair treatment. After some negotiations with the government,they just called off a nine months strike .
I think equity can be achieved if workers gained their rights that save their dignity and life so they have a voice in decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. Also workers should entitled to a fair share of profits and benefits of the company they work for so they are encouraged to work hard as they are the owner of the work.