Kevitsoto Stephen Chasie
Tenyiphe, Chümoukedima
Nagaland is a state predominantly populated by Christian community, a land of opulent tradition and culture and endowed with natural resources to the green envy of many.
Nevertheless, the work culture in the state needs a deep reflection. Work meaning the occupation that primarily occupies our time – whether it is a student studying, preparing and seeking for job, homemaking, politics, ministry, travelling, book reading, gardening, farming or any blue, white or gold collar work. The notion of spirituality being- giving offerings to the church, prayer or church meeting or living a monastic life and setting aside faith-life for all other aspects is actually an incomplete perspective. Work, amongst others, should not be treated as an outsider and secular or as a burden or a way to make money and living. But, work is something God has decreed in the book of Genesis that man shall labour for 6 days. So, for Christians, it actually becomes a social arm of the church to meet the needs of the community. God has given work to support ourselves, our family, our society, our nation, God’s creation, upholding our dignity and promoting common good. It shows the witness of an individual following the values and beliefs within him. Work is very much a part and parcel of spiritual and Christian life. Thus, doing legitimate work for legitimate good is serving God’s need.
Work should not be calculated on the metrics of pay or respect or power. Ordinary work offer as many opportunities as the glamorous occupations. If Nagas as Christians love God, they will do their job because God wants it done. Decisions made at work directly or indirectly contributes to life. However, the apathy of viewing work outside faith has resulted in lack of respect for work. Employees are found absent at their workplace for days and months and even years. Jobs are acquired not in fairness or merit, hand greasing is becoming a norm and idleness in so many official departments is observed. If Nagaland has the highest government staff to population ratio in population, why its service to society is lower than the lower ratio states?
Most of us want to live in an equitable and peaceful society that provides growth, opportunity and development. Political, social and economic conditions where citizens lack fundamental dignity of work is not desirable. But, owing to it, our people are lingering under unresolved accords, businesses are not able take off, unemployed youth have to leave their home towns and villages to migrate outside to earn their livelihood often working in low and even belittling professions facing untold trials like racism and exploitations, many young Nagas have to even work under shopkeepers, mill managers or hotel owners who have migrated to Nagaland while many join forces and elements that offer easy money.
We need to work together to tackle the evils of unemployment, underemployment, unjust wages and unhealthy work conditions so that we are able to present a model state. The political class needs to be honest, principled and far sighted. The government must give great effort to ensure economy of the state improves. The various factors of production land, labour, capital, entrepreneurship and information must be guaged to offer critical areas like education, healthcare and employment in a balanced, equitable and socially inclusive manner. That will ensure dignified work with living wages available in the state.
The church needs to say no to tithes and offerings from wrongful gains and tell the members who are proxy officials or who are unlawfully employed it is wrong without fear of losing attendance or fat money. Institutions, Firms and businesses should treat their workers fairly. Primary sector workers should address their work as though their products are going to cater to their own children whether it is in using pesticides or chemicals or any required means of production.
Individuals should realize the gift of work as God’s work for them in that profession.
This collaborative responsibility from all sections in the society will promote dignity of work for every Naga and everyone will view their work in the way Martin Luther King Jr said, “If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music…. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well”.
