Conversations-5

Me: I envy my ancestors.

What happened, Boss? Why this nostalgia trip?

Me: The Ancient Man was self-made. He never worked for anyone – except for himself and his close family to begin with.

Hmmm…

Me: He slept whenever he wanted. He worked whenever he wished. He ate whatever he could lay his hands upon. Some days he went hungry. Some days he overate, perhaps.

Okay, Okay. Why this long preamble? What are you driving at?

Me: There was no Boss, you know, for him to report to perhaps. Nobody gave him a job in the first place. No perks even. Equally, none took away those freebies, making him feel he has been deprived or robbed. Whatever.

Enuf, Boss! Get it out of your chest. Are you pink slipped?

Me: Dumbo, I am not talking about myself. … Look at France. Workers – both blue and white collar – are on strike. The Republic has come to a standstill. Schools closed, flights delayed, trains not running. Even newspapers not out…

What’s happening?

Me: French President Nicolas Sarkozy is trying to implement pension reforms which he spoke about as part of his election manifesto. Workers are not liking a wee bit. Therefore, the work stoppage to make Sarkozy to backtrack.

What’s pension reforms?

Me: The strike is over government plans to reform so-called special pension systems enjoyed by about half a million workers particularly in the French rail and energy sectors. Sarkozy plan to stop the aberration of permitting workers in this segment to retire two and a half years earlier than the rest of population.

If so, only rail and energy sector workers should stop work. Why others joined them?

Me: Spillover effect. Civil servants stayed away from work as the strike entered the second week. Teachers, customs agents, tax inspectors, newspaper printers, distributors etc. to press for pay hike and job security. Sarkozy is stranded.

Oh!

Me: If you scan dailies these days, labour troubles are not restricted to France alone. Look at Iran. Workers are protesting that the proposed labour reforms will make them even poorer. .. One of the placards reads: “500 industrial plants in crisis – 5 million hungry people. It is not a matter to be proud of”. Protestors claim that the proposed changes will create unemployment and reduce job security. Privatisation programme is another bone of contention which is leading to job losses. With inflation reducing the real income, it is pinching. So the protest.

I heard you talking over phone about Bahrain workers situation the other day…

Me: Yes, you’re right. “We want our jobs back” is what retired Batelco workers are asking for. Batelco is the leading telecom corporation in Bahrain. “I am still too young to retire. Having a job and doing work is what makes every man win his dignity,” says one worker, according to media reports. There are complaints that many were forced to retire or removed from jobs.

You told over phone that it is being contested in legal fora.

Me: True. Batelco management and trade unions are contesting the retirement programme.

What about the three teenagers who were holding placards demanding job and going on hunger strike?

Me: Now it is over. Three Bahrainis ended their 9-day protest for not getting jobs. Holding placards, they stood outside the Civil Service Bureau in Manama. Five years ago, they have been promised jobs by a government official, but nothing seems to have happened. So, they took it to streets.

What’s the latest news on them?

Me: One Shaikh Hassan Sultan, Al Wefaq Bloc Member of Parliament promised jobs and asked them to give up their protest. Trusting him, they have ended their protest. Let’s wait and watch.

Boss, you’re right about your ancestors. The Ancient Man was a lucky soul. No masters. No job losses.

Me: He was his own Master! …. Hey! Where are you going?

Let me try out a Business Plan for myself. How long can I go on depending on you and keep calling you Boss?

You …. Ungrateful creature! …. Get lost!

More to come…