Too Many Holidays?

Do we work too much or too little? To chill, or not to chill, that is not the real question.

Who doesn't want to have more time to relax, right? Wrong. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of people who would oppose the idea of having more holidays. Our topic today relates to the current issue of whether or not the government should recognize and create more holidays.

Taiwan is ranked fourth in countries that have the most working hours according to CNA, which isn't something to be proud of because our salary does not match that ranking. We work long hours but get paid less. This phenomenon is poisonous and extremely dangerous for both the well-being of each laborer and all walks of life. Down to the birth rate of a nation and up to the social wellfares of senior citizens, working without a sense of achievement could result in creating a cultural revolution in which people become hopeless and unwilling to work hard, if at all.

(Be noted that this is of course an overall average and it's obviously not the case with EVERYONE. The record or surveys are always for case studies although they often serve to provoke as well. )

We worked to live but that goal has always been to live to work. Everyone wants to be worthy of something. Through work, we learn about ourselves, we realize who we are, and we fulfill our dreams. That is, of course, if we have time to think and dream. With such unhealthy work conditions, we would drive out the talents, those who care for this country, and the ones that remain would be those who benefit from the flaws of the system. Simply put, it could be the end of a country. A bit dramatic? Not so. The labor force is the root of society. The only reason we still stand is that it isn't the worst time YET, meaning that there's still more to exploit. People endure. It's what we've been told for generations.

Is the solution for everything, everywhere, all at once(great movie), the increase in holidays? Not quite. It is a start though. When people discuss, debate, or argue over this issue, most of the time it became two extremes, all work or all holidays. To avoid any constructive results or adding any comic effects, the two sides of the coins become ever-spinning but the nature of this issue was never to go either way. The real problem may not be having more holidays at all. Let's ask ourselves this one question. Do we really need to be working this long?

When there are only 6 working hours in the office, you wouldn't want to stay for one more. When you have to stay for 10 hours, you would redistribute how you work and ended up working slowly. It's human nature. You may be quick and say that the employers would just give more work to the employees since the hours are lower or even give a pay cut. Yes, that is most certainly going to happen and that's why the negotiation should NEVER be based on these two parties because it isn't a fair relationship. Negotiations require two equal parties on the table and the laborers are not it with the people who hire them. Therefore, a very simple fix for an issue this scale is that the government steps in. That happens when we the people respond vigorously.

Let's do a thought experiment. What would happen if, on a national scale, the government implanted a regulation to restrict everyone to work on a 6-hour basis instead of 8 right now?

Businesses that require their staff to work longer would have to hire another set of staff to avoid paying overtime wages. When they suggested paying less, it is then, up to the people to rebel by either quitting the job, exposing the company, or reporting to the government. A fortified, enforced, and fair system is required before leaving it all to the laborers themselves. However, those of us who care about issues like this should raise awareness as always. Those in power will always try to silence the poor with benefits that belonged to them in the first place. Sadly, it is often successful.

#discussion

p.s. all pictures for the blog posts are accidentally deleted so.... we will no longer have pictures.