The Working Man's Perception

                In today’s reality, the great progress of human technology does not always move parallel with the progress of society and morality. There are certain groups of people who fall into the cracks of the so-called modern technological world. Unable to find any possible means to get out from the current situation, they search for whatever limited opportunity that exists and continue doing what they are best for: to survive. Such kind of people includes labor workers in third world countries, specifically those who work as ship-breakers in Pakistan as described in Michael Glawogger’s documentary “Workingman’s Death”. The country’s poor condition has led some of its needy people to try their luck in a ship-breaking yard situated in Gadani. For a few of them, working here is as the only viable choice.

                In the yard, dead, gigantic commercial ships stand tall across the flat beach, wedged between each other. The working men are like ants on dead tree trunks, dwarfed by the massive metallic bodies that sprawled along the once clean beach. Drips of sweat and blood trickled down the sea water as the men working hard to dissemble parts of rusted ships. Looking at the vast open sea, they stand 70 feet above the ground while trying to catch their breath. The greenish-blue sea blows salty wind to their face, giving a cooling sensation after having hours of exhaustive labor under the hot, humid climate. Each moment, they gamble their lives for the prospect of survival. Many of them left their families back home hundreds of miles away and only to be back after no longer than a month. They send a sum of their paltry wage back home so as to enable their loved ones to sustain themselves. Life is hard, but they pray for the best and believe God will provide to them adequately.

               The working men bind themselves in a strong, implicitly constructed brotherhood. They share their experiences together and work as one, collective soul. Religious faith further adds to the strength of the brotherhood, keeping them positive to continue living. Deep in their heart, they are longed to leave this place, and to enjoy other opportunities this world might have to offer. However, due to the circumstances they are in, they know it is very unlikely for them to escape, and thus be content for what they already have. From an outsider’s point of view, these people are considered to be very unfortunate, and cause many kinds of problems. Some environmentalists view them as ones that tarnish the nature. However, most of the time, these environmentalist are already living in a pristine, comfortable life in their private home. For the ship-breakers, they are oblivious to such opinions. They are just trying hard to survive and commit no crimes.

                Perception is indeed very subjective. Some of these working men are grateful for their condition and wish no more, others are not. Some of the outsiders observe them to be ignorant, but others feel that they are drawn to their actions because of forcing factors like poverty and hunger.  In retrospect, we have to understand that words and perceptions alone are not enough to alleviate the condition. One day, we hope that effective actions out of compassion (and even responsibility) can be made by the global society, especially by those who hold powerful positions, and make this world a better place.