Rich and Poor

The divide between the rich and the poor can be roughly divided into the rich north and the poor south. The north consists of first world countries like the USA, England and France. The south consists of third world countries like India, Kenya and Brazil. The jobs available in third world countries are mainly in shoe or clothe factories. In these places workers are treated as a commodity. Christians believe this is wrong and Christian aid agencies like CAFOD aim to get fair working hours and wages for these people. They also help towns and villages to build their own wells and schools. Without these agencies the rich would get richer and the poor would get poorer.

        A recent example of the third world being exploited is the case of the Brazilian shoe makers. In the case of Leo she has been working in a shoe factory for seven years and like all workers is paid a meagre wage for work that could be hazardous to health. Christian aid agencies strive to rectify this problem by campaigning for fair wages and sensible working conditions for those employed by shoe manufacturers. However one of the problems with the workforce is the fact that if one employee makes a stand they are fired, there are always many more willing workers to take the persons place. Christians feel that this is very unfair as the worker is only standing up for their rights as a citizen of humanity. Leo says, “I really want workers to be valued and not treated as commodities which can be discarded. Without us no shoes would be made, yet our own children don’t even wear shoes! One day I hope to see all workers receiving a just wage and not being humiliated.”

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        In 1948 the UN (United Nations) declared these basic human rights:

  • Everyone has the right to attend attend meetings and join associations (trade unions).
  • Everyone has the right to work under just and favourable conditions.
  • Everyone has the right to equal pay for equal work.
  • Everyone has the right to fair pay to enable him/her and his/her family to live with self-respect.

Employment is a basic need for everybody because people who are employed are paid and people need money to buy food and shelter for themselves and their families. Without those basic requirements we would die so ...

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