The price of labor and the governance: look at issues through the eyes of a day-laborer. Can you do us a favor by pushing the rickshaw fare for 1000m (1km) ride to the level of the price of 1000 grams (1kg) of rice?
You must be very surprised at the headline and sub-headline of the article.
What could be the relationship of governance system (something that pundits talk about in the round-tables in the press-club or the studios of TV channels or in their interviews to the press) with something as mundane as rickshaw fare? Are we kidding? No, rest assured, we are not. We actually mean it whole-heartedly.
We are sending out this article with a very heavy heart. What is the reason for that heavy heart?
The heart is heavy – because the leaders of the party of Bangabandhu and/or the leaders of the party of Zia do not understand what a national charter could contain. Many of these bagha bagha leaders and more importantly, the so-called intellectuals do not know what government should or should not include in the proposed national charter. They are afraid what government would pressure them to sign up for.
Afsos! These are our politicians? These are our intellectuals? Khubi afsos er kotha. Are beta, tora na bolbi oder ke what a national charter should contain. Doesn’t that make more sense?
Govt. e jara bose ase, ora tu rajniti’r kisu buje na. They do not presume to be learned on that. But they are trying to learn and respond to the feedback that they are getting. Now, so far, they progressed to the point that there needs to be some limit in what has been done in the name democratic politics. Also, what has been done in the name of free market policy making.
So, the national charter will be helpful in making sure that all the politics and national policy making would actually benefit the people – the real owners of the country.
Now, would you question how a national charter could help ensure the rights of people? We could go in detail – but its better if you find them out – after all, you are the politicians whom the government is inviting to discuss, isn’t it?
But let us give you a starting point? How about having a sentence that says the price of labour would be enough to sustain the basic need of a person? Do not talk about taka. We would prefer something like this "the rickshaw fare for 1000m (1km) ride to the level of the price of 1000 grams (1kg) of rice?" Can you set this as a mandate for the policy makers?
We know what you are thinking. It sounds too much for those rickshaw pullers? How about half the price? Or whatever you think is fair.
Can you set this a goal for all politics and policy-making that government and political parties and the leaders would not stop the working hard until this basic goal is acheived.
Start from this basic declaration. Then go forward in stipulating few more items that makes the nation a progressively civilized one where more citizens start using their knowledge to earn a living instead of using labour for a living. Also, try to think one or two items that ensures that the youth can work to build a knowledge-based economy without interruption.
Do this favour to the nation selling which you have fed your families so far, please. And that includes all those intellectuals who was reported to be saying as the national charter to be an "ADIM JUG ER CHINTA"! Bravo, mr. professors. Bravo, on your intellects. Without your understanding, how would the nation go forward. Bravo, mr. reporter. Bravo, on the might of your pen. You can now claim to rescue the nation from sliding into anarchy. Bravo, mr. editor. Bravo, on the freedom that you exercise. BTW, don’t you think freedom is not serving your professon very well, because people often can see whats inside? We are really ashamed, this time.
Please allow us this writing on a positive note. Whatever you do, whatever you decide, policy goal should be to achieve the national economic condition to such a height where an hourly worker would be able to sustain a small family with basic humane honor. Start from there, you will then know how to think modern. Keep faith – you can go there.
Also, there is another valid question. When there is a constitution, what is the need for a national charter. To put it simply, the constitution is for you peoples, the politicians, the intellectuals, judges, journalist. And none of you ever think about that sacred document while do your professional jobs. The national charter is a simple point by point document (very short in length compared to the constituation) that the people will memorize and hold you accountable to. One could say its the summary document of the constitution. Whatever that is – we would know whether the document is good for us because that document will be written in simple language.