This coming Sunday, 20th February is ‘United Nations World Day of Social Justice’ which has social justice in the digital economy as its focus for this year. The entire digital world has grown in importance for us all since COVID related restrictions have prevented face to face meetings and limited gatherings. The use of the internet to keep us connected is only a small part of all that is embraced by the term ‘digital’.
While we may worry about the availability of inappropriate material to vulnerable people online, or be anxious over the risks of cyber-bullying we must not lose sight of those for whom digital labour platforms are their means of earning their living. For them, the disparities between availability and affordability of the internet and all its associated technology may be life changing. Other revolutions in the past in agriculture and manufacturing industry generally have altered working practices and conditions. How many of us stop to think about working conditions for those deriving their income from the digital world.
Today’s verses, Matthew 6:22-24, remind us that Jesus was clear that it is impossible to prioritise God and money simultaneously. That is not to say that God’s people cannot use money for good nor that commercially driven businesses may not inadvertently do good.
The spotlight of day 17 in ‘Prayers for All’ (the Methodist Prayer Handbook 21-22) is on India. From the 1990s onwards India has embraced technology to satisfy a growing call-centre industry which most of us utilise, even if we are unaware of it. Call centres have traditionally been based in offices but the main tool was, initially the traditional telephone but that has given way to ever more sophisticated systems. Now, technology lets us talk without the need to be constrained by location.
As with all developments, there is much that is good and there is risk too. Over the next few days as you ponder things, or use digital anything, spare a thought for people whose entire livelihood is digital labour platform based. Are they working reasonable hours, in reasonable conditions for reasonable returns or simply enslaved by the greedy demands of the rest of us?
This is much bigger than merely the world of call-centres.
A Prayer
We thank you, Creator God, for things we take for granted in life. We talk and shop on line; we are entertained on line and we learn on line. Give us the wisdom to stop to think about all we do digitally and to question whether those who talk, who trade or whose talents are utilised on line are treated well and paid properly. Give us the insight to see what looks exploitative and not do things that may cause harm to the world of unseen workers and traders. For the sake of Jesus from whom no identity is hidden nor need unnoticed. Amen.