Work ethic and an unholy quest for enrichment

Max Weber born in Erfurt Germany in 1864, is a German sociologist and political economist who was one of the central figures in the development of sociology.  His ideas continue to influence social and work ethics and research. Weber wrote that the 'spirit of capitalism' does not refer to the spirit in the metaphysical sense but rather a set of values, the spirit of hard work and progress.

In theory, good ethics mean a desire to do a task well, being vigilant and organized. This serves as the foundation for values centred on the importance of clerical work or industrious work. Ideally the state creates a rewarding routine/system by engaging workers who provide strength and energy.  In an ideal world, such talents can be transferred to achieve ultimate goals, creating a habit and a habitat for success and a fair society.  

Proponents of a strong work ethic consider it to be important for achieving goals, as it gives strength to proper orientation and the right mindset.  According to Weber, a work ethic is a set of moral principles a person uses in their job. People who possess a strong work ethic embody certain principles that guide their work behaviour. Taking an opposite view, consider how a negative work ethic is a behaviour of a single individual or a group that has led to a systematic lack of productivity, reliability, accountability and a growing sphere of unprofessional/unhealthy relationships.  

For the past decade, nepotism raged widely.  An ex-middle level banker secures a cushy job in a top public office which demands no qualifications but comes with excellent hybrid working conditions, perks, expertise allowance and teflon coated ie, shielded from scrutiny.

This aura does not inculcate a rewarding work ethic. Locally readers have protested in vain about the appointment of nephews, wives, cousins and cronies of elite political office holders; the latter blatantly abusing of the system by regularly awarding consultancies (or multiple tenders by direct order) to less qualifying and incapable persons (often at comparatively high salaries and perks). A lamentable story encircles the working classes into becoming servants to well-heeled political class thus creating wealth to a social stratum at the top of the economic pyramid. 

The latter continuously prance in front of cameras, deliver lavish presentations (eg extravagant local Film Award ceremonies graced by a pompous UK presenter charging €200,000 for his indulgence). What is the gripping narrative on this abuse (if any) prevailing in Malta. I found the commentaries by Colm Regan, an activist writer - very poignant and erudite. Perhaps he grants me permission to quote him.  He writes that a country like Malta is an enigma. It is both underdeveloped and overdeveloped at the same time; it can appear to be simultaneously underpopulated with the respect to technical workers yet harbouring thousands of low-paid, low-skilled third-country nationals.  

Here temping agencies made a killing. Colm thinks inter alia how Malta is one of Europe’s pre-eminent success stories. Delving deeper one discovers it is a little more than a mirage, a very expensively manufactured mirage. In his opinion, we are currently, experiencing mirages about many issues which illustrate the high degree of delusion that afflicts natives. Mention unprecedented property development with an induced faster rate of economic development. One may ask where did the millions emanate? Perhaps tucked under the bed or in Dubai secret tax-free accounts - away from the prying eyes of FIAU. Turning now, to a Dutch philosopher Bernard Mandeville, writing in the eighteen century his book The Fable of the Bees scandalised the British establishment.  Here, he argued that private vices were essential to a healthy economy.  

Those who strive to make the world virtuous would make it poor, he said. Dishonesty supports lawyers, who then support their tailors and their cooks, gambling diverse money from those who don't know its value to those who do and can invest it wisely. Many of our virtues, he wrote, are in fact disguised vices. Mandeville was one of the first to emphasise the role of the consumer in the economy rather than the state. He influenced ideas from Adam Smith in the 18th century to Keynes and Hayek in the 20th.  

In his book, he argues that language and concepts are turned inside out as political leaders make us believe vices become camouflaged as virtues. This done routinely to the point where the undiscerning can no longer tell the difference between the two.  Many writers have voiced their concern how the meteoric rise in plebeian affluence in Malta has blunted our pride, thus losing touch with honest enrichment as some continue to become immune to abuse of power by oligarchs who lord over cosseted empires. They rule the roost. For instance, Colm writes about the colourful propaganda that oozes daily from state TV and other government mouth pieces. 

Such feel-good exercises regale the plebeians with a daily dosage of grandiose tasks and polished reports. Castille even employs its own superior pollster to help predict agreeable election outcomes. Can we fail to mention multiple lavish gala film festivals and more recently a planned two-million-euro commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Malta being a republic. The appointment of a tourism minister’s girlfriend (later wife) with a mere two A levels employed as a pseudo consultant with a Gozo ministry on a €70k salary - speaks volumes how immune are the populace when hearing such abuses. 

On the bright side, Moody’s has again affirmed Malta's 'A+' credit rating with a stable outlook, while surreptitiously drawing our attention to fiscal challenges (burgeoning debt) that could pose risks in the future. Paradoxically with 80,000 persons declared to be on the poverty line, yet according to Credit rating agencies, economy continues to show a strong momentum, highlighting projected GDP growth of 5.1% this year (versus 0.8% for the Eurozone and 2% for other A-rated countries). 

The mimicry continues while the population grew exponentially with over 78,000 imported TCN’s recruited by top dollar hitherto unlicensed temping agencies.  These immigrants live and toil hard living on precarious wages. Only time will tell if Castille starts to smell the coffee and sense billowing discontent amongst the masses.