You know there is a popular adage that says, "All fingers are not equal" which is correct. The question if it is right for all workers to earn equal pay is something that demands simple logical reasoning. We all know that everyone however is endowed with diversity of skills, knowledge, experience etc. Would it be fair if a person who has achieved so many degrees in becoming a medical doctor or a lawyer after all the time, resources and energy spent, comes out to work and he or she is being paid the same amount as those who are clerks or receptionists?
Everything I would say, balls down to the difference in value, skills, knowledge, experience and exposure of the different workers. There's always a boss, one knows more than the other, one who is more exposed than the other. Everyone cannot, "i repeat", cannot be paid equally. The only thing I see dim fit is for everyone to be paid what they deserve. Let's take our mind off the money aspect for some seconds and ponder on this. "If everyone becomes the boss, who would take care of the minor jobs we see as not important? Such as, cleaners, mechanics, drivers etc. Every worker is important but cannot be paid equally. It took some people a lot of time, resources, energy and skills to get to the level where they are, so the preference given to this highly skilled and knowledgeable person cannot be the same as those less skilled and illiterate workers.
Considering the economy and the kind of government/country I come from, I would prefer to sell newspapers on the streets of New York or work as a bar attendant than work as lecturer in a Nigerian university. As funny as it sounds, I would be better off that way. One would leave the house as early as 5am to work and come home by 6pm and at the end of the month your salary is less than $150. Sadly, my dad is a victim to this.
Let me share this story of a lecturer friend of mine. I have always thought lecturers who drive cars in the Nigerian university are financially buoyant and they are receiving very fat salaries from the government. But then, imagine a Professor with all of his degrees is earning a maximum of 150-170k naira a month ($170.) Inside that salary, he has kids to care for, transportation to pay every day to work, his rent and other expenses to attend to. Looking at the very high inflation rate in Nigeria and the current exchange rate of a dollar to naira which is 1000/$, tell me how one is able to save or purchase assets?
That's why I made that statement earlier. If I work in the US as a sales boy and I'm being paid $300 monthly, it is worth it, also, it's not as tedious as how a youth would work in my country and can't boast of at least $100 in the account.
Furthermore, I somehow have doubts if this system can be fixed but it can be worked on. I solely stand on the notion that every worker should be compensated rightfully and well enough for their job or services rendered. This serves as a form of encouragement to workers to do more and put more effort which however would contribute to the growth of the organization they work for.
Until next time, do have a wonderful day .
