RECREATING DIGNITY IN LABOUR; THE MARXIST NEXUS

Igbana Wansua Ajir

Department of Sociology

Benue State University, Makurdi

Email:igbanaajir@gmail.com

Abstract

Work constitutes the mainstay of human activity. The involvement in labour process upgrades those who participate in labour activities as they derive intrinsic satisfaction in what they carry out. The main concern in this paper is to assess the proper conceptualization of work in the Marxist perspectives. The definition and the various perceptions by different authors is undertaken. The ideological viewpoints from different groups: the Calvinist, the Greeks, the Hebrews, the ancient Christians and Moslems is taken to show how they consider work. The externalization of work has thus created the hatred for work as it is now purely considered for lower class that must eke their living from performing these tasks. Works become too specialized to make meaning to the worker who now see work only with an extrinsic value and thus considered in instrumental value. In Nigeria the economic situation has further pushed the worker to see work only as means to an end. The economy has further compounded the situation of work in Nigeria. The Marxist conception of work has thus been fully observed among the workers in Nigeria. The only solution has largely remained the expansion of the economic space to allow most people to get value for what they produce.