Let us take a look at a very misused term--hard work
Work is a physical concept. We could (not being scientific here) describe it as the amount of efficient effort over a set amount of time.
A person that accomplishes twice as much effort than someone else over the same amount of time could be said to work harder than the second person.
Now cost of labor is an economic concept. We could (not being economic exact here) describe it as the cost of work over a set amount of time.
For instance, a person that works twice as hard but receives twice the pay than another worker has the same cost of labor.
That seems fair. So what is the problem?
Well it seems that when a business minded person complains that an American does not work as hard as an immigrant, he is really referring to the cost of labor, not how much work the American can do in an amount of time.
An American and an immigrant can produce the same amount of work over the exact same time period--neither is working harder than the other. However, the immigrant may sell his work for 1/3 less than the American. This cost difference is what attracts businesses to immigrant labor. The immigrant is not working harder, he is working for less. In effect, the business will pocket this difference and use it at their discretion.
I point this out because Americans are working harder due to uncertainties in the economy, yet there are some leaders demanding Americans to work even more while hiding the fact that it is the cost of labor they wish to drive down.
The use of the term "Work Harder" is mislabeling.
The correct term is "Work for less".
This is another problem that arises from the use of immigrant and foreign labor that needs to be addressed. Also, it is an intended misuse of terms by political leaders and businessmen to convince the public they are at fault while masking their drive for more profit.
Work is a physical concept. We could (not being scientific here) describe it as the amount of efficient effort over a set amount of time.
A person that accomplishes twice as much effort than someone else over the same amount of time could be said to work harder than the second person.
Now cost of labor is an economic concept. We could (not being economic exact here) describe it as the cost of work over a set amount of time.
For instance, a person that works twice as hard but receives twice the pay than another worker has the same cost of labor.
That seems fair. So what is the problem?
Well it seems that when a business minded person complains that an American does not work as hard as an immigrant, he is really referring to the cost of labor, not how much work the American can do in an amount of time.
An American and an immigrant can produce the same amount of work over the exact same time period--neither is working harder than the other. However, the immigrant may sell his work for 1/3 less than the American. This cost difference is what attracts businesses to immigrant labor. The immigrant is not working harder, he is working for less. In effect, the business will pocket this difference and use it at their discretion.
I point this out because Americans are working harder due to uncertainties in the economy, yet there are some leaders demanding Americans to work even more while hiding the fact that it is the cost of labor they wish to drive down.
The use of the term "Work Harder" is mislabeling.
The correct term is "Work for less".
This is another problem that arises from the use of immigrant and foreign labor that needs to be addressed. Also, it is an intended misuse of terms by political leaders and businessmen to convince the public they are at fault while masking their drive for more profit.
