Globalization for the common good
Ellen 6 months, 6 days ago.
On May first, millions gathered around the world to celebrate a holiday which is mostly unknown in the United States. May Day is the International Workers Day and is generally marked by rallies and demonstrations of workers, gatherings of unions and celebrations of the victories of labor movements. Recently, it has been regaining its significance in the US as the immigrant rights movement has organized impressive strikes and marches on the symbolic day.
As we marched through Chicago on a sunny Thursday for this year’s rally and later read reports of the actions around the world, I was impressed by the continuing and even increasing relevancy of workers movements. May 1st is known as International Workers Day in remembrance of the Haymarket martyrs who were shot in Chicago’s Haymarket Square while they demonstrated for an eight hour workday in 1886. That fight was eventually won in the United States, but almost 120 years later millions of workers are still working long days in unsafe conditions in sweatshops around the world.
Globalization is often demonized because of the way that corporations and hegemonic governments have wielded their power within in. Its most basic forms, though, can and should be used by workers movements to balance the power of the corporations and fight for workers rights. Globalization is defined by the increasing interconnectedness of the world, the quicker communication, transportation and transfer of money are all driving forces of the increasingly global economy. Corporations have taken advantage of these to raise profits and keep their goods flowing. The same market characteristics must be used by workers to unite and promote their own welfare.
The free flow of money and goods across borders has brought huge profits to corporations and is protected by a multitude of international laws. The free flow of workers, on the other hand, has been violently cut off with walls, militarization of borders and criminalization of immigration. On May Day, marches throughout the United States called for the free flow of workers across borders.
According to the teachings of the Bible and the Catholic Church, humans have an undeniable right to dignified work. If migration is essential to finding this work, then it must not be hindered.
The free flow of goods and money protected by agreements like NAFTA is the very reason that workers are being forced to leave their homes and risk their lives to find jobs elsewhere. We must take advantage of the new interconnectedness of the world to unite workers to further the common good. Poverty wage factories in the developing world benefit only those at the top of the corporate ladder, whereas workers in the First World must deal with job losses, lower wages and inequality. It is in the common interest of all workers to demand livable conditions for themselves and their brothers and sisters.
Globalization has the potential to improve the lives of everyone around the world, but it is up to us to make sure that the interests of common workers are heard and that our movements counter the power of corporate and government profits. This year on May Day, we marched in solidarity with international workers who are laboring daily to survive with dignity. We marched for all the people in this world who are denied the human right to provide for their family and enjoy a dignified job. We, as Catholic Workers, joined with our brothers and sisters to demand that globalization favor all of God’s creation.