Within the framework of the commemoration of Labor Day and the festival of San José Obrero, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción and Paraguayan Cardinal, Adalberto Martínezissued a message in which he recognized the efforts of Paraguayan workers and pointed out the serious structural challenges they face in the country.
He stressed that human work is not only a means of sustenance, but a fundamental path for personal, family and social fulfillmentand taking Saint Joseph as an example, the Cardinal stressed that the A job well done is an expression of service and love for others.
“Saint Joseph was a carpenter, a humble and faithful craftsman who, with the work of his hands, supported the Holy Family; and in his workshop in Nazareth, Jesus learned not only a trade, but also the value, dignity and joy of a job well done, as an expression of love, service and dedication to others.. Thus, human work, illuminated by the example of Saint Joseph, becomes a path of sanctification and a concrete way of collaborating with the creative work of God, building the family and contributing to the common good of society,” Martínez highlighted in his message.
He asked to raise thanksgiving to God for all the men and women who, with the effort of their hands and the commitment of their lives, contribute to the construction of a more just, fraternal and supportive society. From the Archbishopric of the Most Holy Assumption, He addressed a close word of recognition and hope to all the workers of our countryaffirming that in each one the dignity of human work is manifested, which is not only a means of sustenance, but also a path of personal, family and social fulfillment.
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Vulnerability faced by workers
However, the message placed a strong emphasis on vulnerability that a large part of the working population in Paraguay goes through.
Martínez denounced that many citizens live under conditions of instability and lack of guaranteeslacking basic rights and social protection, such as lack of access to health services, the absence of retirement systems and the lack of insurance against work-related illnesses or accidents .
“Many brothers and sisters live in conditions marked by instability, lack of guarantees and absence of social protection. Although they work with effort and dignity, they do not have the basic rights that ensure their well-being and that of their families. This situation generates deep vulnerability, since many workers do not have access to health services, retirement or security against illnesses or accidents. Added to this are structural difficulties that especially affect those who have fewer educational opportunities or those who, due to the lack of formal employment, must resort to independent work to survive,” he said.
He recognized that many small productive units, in their effort to sustain themselves, face limitations that lead them to operate outside formal frameworksa reality that challenges the entire society and invites us to look for ways that promote fairer and more sustainable working conditions.
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Difficulties affect young people and women
He highlighted that these difficulties They particularly affect young people who are looking for their first job opportunity, womenwho support their homes, and so many rural workers who often remain invisible.
To this reality is added the testimony of so many compatriots who are looking for work horizons outside the countryso he remembered them in a very special way, since they are the ones who, as migrants and with effort, support their families from a distance.
“Likewise, of those who find themselves without work and look for it with anguish and perseverance, trusting that they do not lack the opportunity for a dignified life. Given this panorama, we are called to renew our commitment to decent work, which guarantees the livelihood and respects the dignity of each person. The challenge is to build a society where work is truly a right accessible to all,” he expressed.
He considered that Work is not only an economic activity, since it is participation in the creative work of Godbeing that each worker, whatever his task, collaborates with the Lord in the construction of the world and serves the common good with his talents.
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Families without work are exposed to difficulties
He pointed out that a family without work is exposed to multiple difficultiessuch as tensions, fractures and even the temptation of hopelessness, therefore, it is everyone’s duty to promote conditions that make a dignified life possible.
“In light of the testimony of Saint Joseph, we ask God for the grace to work with honesty, responsibility and a spirit of service, valuing each task as part of a greater mission. On this day, we express our recognition and closeness to all workers: those who support their homes with sacrifice, those who serve in silence and those who seek an opportunity with perseverance. May Saint Joseph, faithful servant of the Lord, inspire us to live generous dedication and solidarity, especially with those who need it most. We entrust all the families of Paraguay to his protection paternal, so that they can live with dignity, peace and hope. May the Lord bless all the workers of our beloved nation, inside and outside the country.“, the Paraguayan Cardinal concluded in his message.
