What are work ethics and how are yours?—Part II

Last week we briefly reviewed the history of the development of work ethics. We noticed that it has changed over the ages. Today we want to discuss how we can develop a sound work ethic. Our workers have not been exposed to the fierce competition that the non-resident workers have in their home country in whatever trade they pursue. Only recently is this fact being brought to our attention. Good jobs are competitive and the applicant must know the rules if he is to be hired.

Like other cultural norms, a person’s adherence to or belief in the work ethic is principally influenced by socialization experiences during childhood and adolescence. Through interaction with family, peers, and significant adults, a person “learns to place value on work behavior as others approach him in situations demanding increasing responsibility for productivity.” Based on praise or blame and affection or anger, a child appraises his or her performance in household chores, or later in part-time jobs, but his appraisal is based on the perspective of others. As a child matures, these attitudes toward work become internalized, and work performance becomes less dependent on the reactions of others.

Children are also influenced by the attitudes of others towards work. If a parent demonstrates a dislike for a job or a fear of unemployment, children will tend to assimilate these attitudes. Parents who demonstrate a strong work ethic tend to impart a strong work ethic to their children. I learned as a young boy seeing my father and mother rise at 5 A.M. to go to their bakery shop to bake bread and pastries.

Are there many examples of hard work and dedication to a job in the CNMI? Very few. Most of the workforce is employed by the government. The government, of course, has its own standards of work ethic which is drastically different from the private sector. Since many of the private businesses are owned by foreigners, little training is done to teach work ethics. The local force is expected to already possess one.

The schools must play a major role in fostering sound work ethics. Students should be constantly enlightened about what a work ethic is, and why it is important to success in the workplace. This teaching must become a component of secondary education. Neglecting this vital role results in a weak labor force that does not understand what a good work ethic is. Have our public schools dedicated themselves to this goal?

Let’s explore a common myth about nonresident workers. Most of us tend to believe that they are driven by a strong work ethic. But upon close examination, this is not really true. We recruit them to work for us, and they willingly do. But they come here from dire need and desperation. Once they arrive, they learn the system quickly. Get your boss upset and he will send you home. So accept what is given you and keep your mouth shut. Tolerate the conditions. These workers compare the conditions from where they came to where they are now. Going home is not an option.

After working with hundreds of nonresident workers over 24 years, I can tell you many stories about being lied to, cheated, stolen money, and laziness. Many come here totally unsuited for the job they applied for. They fake their way into jobs. Many are not skilled at all.

But of course, there are many good, sincere, and honest nonresident workers that far out-weight the bad ones. I am proud to have had and still have many outstanding nonresident workers. I also have many good local workers of whom I am proud.

The majority of the local workforce has not had this opportunity. He lives at home, has plenty of friends, and is in his own environment. Then comes a time that he is forced to find a job. No one has trained or motivated him. He looks at the public sector which he has seen and learned about from relatives and friends. So he compares that to the private sector. As a result the new recruit expects in the private sector the same laid-back attitude and terms and conditions that the government offers his father or auntie.

When he finds that they are different, he rebels: “No one said I have to be on time and put out X amount of work and listen carefully and follow my boss’ orders or get sent home. Man, I quit. I can make more money collecting food stamps.” Does this sound familiar? Nowhere does it state that the employee is lazy or indifferent to work. He just doesn’t understand that the rules of the private sector and the public sector are different which should not be the case.

I firmly believe that our local people are as intelligent and as trainable as any worker whether he is a U.S. citizen or a nonresident worker. Our local people need to realize that work is necessary for a decent life. Uncle Sam cannot keep handing our doles. We must accept that the minimum wage has been terribly abused and should be paid only to non-skilled workers. A skilled employee deserves top wages.

In these two articles I am not offering solutions to our labor problems, but I emphasize that unless we find solutions fast, we will be always dependent upon outsiders to help us. I am asking us to change how we do and think about things. A strong nation is only as strong as its trained and educated workforce. Let’s recognize the problem and begin solving it. Our local workers are trainable if given the chance and opportunity. Let’s start now!

We have wasted years and millions of dollars and produced little with our efforts. Unless we train a skilled and literate work force, we will eternally depend on non-resident workers. Let’s concentrate on training our resident workers to become skilled trades’ people.

Have we listened to our young people begging for the training they want? Strangely we are not listening to their pleas. Instead we argue among ourselves about what we feel they should have instead of what they want. Whenever we encourage them to find a job, we strongly encourage them to get a “government job.” We keep thinking: “Forget the skilled trades. We have plenty of non-resident skilled workers willing to work for low wages.” We need to change our attitude. Those times have changed.

The above comments hopefully will cause us to think and decide on the positive and compelling need we have. Foreign investors are not the salvation to our islands. Our skilled and literate labor force that is willing to earn a living with their hands, hearts and minds is. This workforce is the main driving force to prosperity, pride and dignity for our people.