Discuss Fiji’s labour force and the historical development of trade unions and or types of worker representation in Fiji. Give examples to support your answer.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Labour Force and Trade Unions in Fiji: A Historical Overview
Introduction
Fiji, a picturesque island nation located in the South Pacific, has a rich history of labor activism and worker representation. Over the years, the country has experienced significant changes in its labor force and the development of trade unions. This essay will delve into the historical development of trade unions and types of worker representation in Fiji, highlighting key events and examples that have shaped the labor landscape of the nation.
The Labour Force in Fiji
Fiji’s labor force is diverse and dynamic, reflecting the country’s multiculturalism and economic sectors. The primary industries employing workers in Fiji include agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, construction, and services. The labor force is made up of both local Fijians and migrant workers from neighboring Pacific islands, such as Tonga, Kiribati, and Tuvalu.
Historical Development of Trade Unions
The establishment of trade unions in Fiji can be traced back to the early 20th century when the country was under British colonial rule. Workers, primarily from sugar plantations, began organizing themselves to fight for better working conditions and wages. The formation of trade unions during this period laid the foundation for worker representation in Fiji.
One notable example is the formation of the Fiji Sugar Planters and Millers Union (FSPMU) in 1921. This union represented the interests of sugar cane farmers and mill workers, advocating for fair compensation and improved working conditions. The FSPMU played a crucial role in shaping the labor movement in Fiji and provided a platform for workers to voice their concerns.
Another significant development occurred in the 1950s during Fiji’s push for independence from British colonial rule. The political climate and nationalist sentiments led to the formation of trade unions aligned with political parties advocating for self-governance. For instance, the National Federation Party (NFP) formed its union arm, the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC), which aimed to address workers’ rights within a broader political agenda.
Types of Worker Representation
In addition to trade unions, Fiji has also witnessed the emergence of other forms of worker representation over time. These include worker cooperatives and employee councils.
Worker cooperatives are organizations owned and democratically controlled by their members. In Fiji, one notable example is the Rewa Co-operative Dairy Company. Established in 1939, this cooperative represents dairy farmers who collectively own and manage their milk processing facilities. It allows farmers to have a collective voice in decision-making processes and ensures fair distribution of profits.
Employee councils, on the other hand, are bodies established within individual companies to represent workers’ interests. These councils facilitate communication between management and employees, ensuring that workers’ concerns are addressed effectively. For instance, the Fiji airline company Air Pacific established an employee council known as “Friends of Air Pacific” to promote dialogue and collaboration between management and staff.
Conclusion
The labor force in Fiji has undergone significant transformations over the years, with trade unions playing a crucial role in advocating for workers’ rights. The historical development of trade unions, such as the Fiji Sugar Planters and Millers Union and the Fiji Trades Union Congress, showcases how workers united to fight for fair treatment.
Furthermore, Fiji has embraced other forms of worker representation, including worker cooperatives and employee councils, which have helped address specific needs within particular industries or companies.
As Fiji continues to evolve economically and socially, it is vital to recognize and support these different forms of worker representation to ensure that workers’ voices are heard and their rights protected. By doing so, Fiji can continue to foster a fair and inclusive labor environment that benefits both workers and employers alike.
