Laborem Exercens

(On Human Work)

Author: Pope John II
Date: September 14, 1981
 Summary
1. John Paul II wrote the Encyclical “Laborem
Exercens” on Sept. 14, 1981 which traces its
origin to Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum,
where he develops the concept of man’s
dignity in work in four chapters:
a. Work and Man
b. Conflict Between Labor and Capital in the
Present Phase of History
c. Rights of Workers
d. Elements for a Spirituality of Work
2. Work is a fundamental dimension of man’s
existence on earth, for it was given on the
moment of creation and it can be found on
the first page of Genesis; to be fruitful,
multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.
3. John Paul recognized technology as a great
benefit, provided it is regarded as a tool that
facilitates work and not as a master that
controls humans.
4. John Paul set forth the following basic
priorities as a framework for discussing issues
of labor, capital, and property ownership:
labor takes precedence over capital and
people are more important than things.
5. For contrast, he named two ideas he
considered to be errors: materialism and
economism, but recommends instead a
philosophy of personalism.
6. The Pope also says that suitable employment
for all is needed and indirect employers need
to act against unemployment through a
system of planning and coordination.
7. John Paul proposed
a family wage, i.e.
enough to support the
worker and his family, as
a minimum, for women
with children have a right
either to stay home or to
work outside the home,
benefits including health
insurance, pensions,
accident insurance,
weekends and vacations
as part of a "correct
relationship between
worker and employer."
8. The Pope asserted the
dignity of agricultural
workers, and some
particular difficulties and
injustices they face
including greater
isolation; hard physical
toil; inadequate wages,
benefits, and training;
and oppression of those
who actually cultivate
the soil by wealthy
landowners.
9. John Paul also raised
rights to work of
persons with disabilities
saying that they are one
of us and participates
fully in the same
humanity we possess
and of immigrant
workers to have their
countries provide laws
for them to be able to
receive equal
treatment.
10. Laborem Exercens ends
with a section correlating
work and Christian
spirituality wherein human
work and rest are a sharing
in the activity of God, our
Creator, work follows Jesus’
footsteps as a carpenter,
and that enduring toil of
work in union with Christ
crucified for us means also
man collaborating with the
Son of God for the
redemption of humanity.