Mahar Murawat Hussain
Let me create a hypothetical situation. You are visiting an office, whether public or private, for some work. There, you notice that the person in charge is comfortably seated in a rounded chair, paying less attention to work and more engaged in chatting with colleagues, laughing at jokes, and leisurely sipping tea. As a result, you end up waiting for hours for a task that could have been completed in a few minutes. While this nonchalant behavior might not bother you initially, there comes a point when your patience runs out, and you demand that the person act more efficiently. This upsets him, and he responds defensively, stating that he knows what to do and asks you to stop lecturing him. You find yourself grinding your teeth and reluctantly waiting for your turn.
Perhaps this anecdote reminds you of a similar event that happened to you because it’s a common story in workplaces in Pakistan. The settings and characters may differ, but such situations occur every day in offices, be they public or private, when people come to get their work done.
Why is this a common occurrence in workplaces in Pakistan? The answer lies in the prevalence of a malaise: poor work ethics.
Work ethics refer to a personal set of values that determine how an employee approaches their work – their level of discipline, diligence, passion, expertise, loyalty to the employer, and above all, honesty in their dealings. Strong work ethics demand that an employee not only work to the best of their ability and integrity but also focus on learning the skills needed to maximize output.
Though we are taught from childhood that diligence, honesty, and integrity are cherished and essential principles for leading an honorable and exemplary life, these values often don’t translate into hard work, efficiency, and discipline in the workplace. As a result, we find two types of employees in almost every office: those who are corrupt and only work diligently when they have ulterior motives, and those who, although not corrupt, seem disinterested in their work and frequently look for ways to avoid it. These employees can aptly be described as ‘kam chor’ (lazy workers). While there are undoubtedly people who work honestly and diligently, the majority of employees in Pakistani offices fall into the above-mentioned categories.
This issue lies at the heart of many problems plaguing society and the country, whether social, moral, or economic. Work ethics directly impact labor productivity, which is a crucial measure of economic growth. Poor work ethics are thus directly responsible for low productivity and the poor economic performance of the country.
Moreover, poor work ethics affect the bond between people and the state. For instance, when a patient urgently visits a public hospital seeking medical help, they may discover that doctors and paramedics are either unavailable or inattentive and callous in their treatment. The staff in the hospital represents the state, and their lukewarm response metaphorically signifies the state’s denial of services to those with whom it has a social contract. This can lead to a sense of alienation and resentment, eroding trust in the state and its institutions.
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It’s worth mentioning that this issue is not limited to white-collar employees; it’s equally pervasive among blue-collar workers. Businessmen often recount workers’ negative attitudes, inefficiency, irresponsibility, absenteeism, and low productivity, while workers have their grievances against low wages and harsh attitudes from employers.
‘Kam Chori’ is pervasive and deeply entrenched in our society, almost becoming a culture. Many graduates seem obsessed with securing government jobs, as they believe it offers job security with minimal risk for underperformers.
This mindset hinders progress, as no one wants to put in their best effort, but everyone desires to see the country become a developed nation. There is a belief that some messiah will come and miraculously change everything, but we overlook the fact that strong work ethics and culture are essential for progress. Western leaders are often praised for their honesty, simplicity, and commitment to their nations, but we forget that these attributes are rooted in their national culture, which is created by the people.
The West has excelled in various fields due to strong work ethics, and Max Weber linked work ethics with the Protestant faith to explain the development of Western Europe. The same holds true for Southeast Asian countries, where the 20th century witnessed their rise largely because work ethics were embedded in Confucian philosophy.
Unfortunately, our national culture has nurtured a ‘kam chori’ culture. We have developed a trait that Dr. Akhtar Hameed aptly described as ‘Chori and kam Chori,’ and strangely, we see nothing wrong with this. Yet, we audaciously criticize political leadership and hold them responsible for every problem in the country. It’s a paradox that we can criticize them without feeling any guilt or remorse.
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