Catholic Social Teaching on Work, Wages, and Migration Principles

Posted on Nov 21, 2025 in Business Administration and Management (BAM)

The Catholic Social Teaching Understanding of Work

In Catholic Social Teaching (CST), there is a special understanding of work that examines it from different angles:

Four Dimensions of Work in CST

  • Personal view: Work is a way for each person to express themselves. Through work, people grow, become more themselves, and reflect God’s image.
  • Family view: Work is connected to family life and should consider the needs of the family.
  • Social view: Work helps people become part of society, contribute to the common good, and work together to build a better world.
  • Cosmic and religious view: Work helps improve the world, making it more human and spiritual.

Objective and Subjective Senses of Work

CST sees work in two important ways:

  • Objective sense: Work connects people to what they create, and they have the right to enjoy the benefits of their work (the product).
  • Subjective sense: On a deeper level, work is about more than just doing tasks—it helps people grow and become who they are meant to be (the worker).

Core Principles of CST Regarding Labor

  • Everyone has a basic right to work, which is essential for human dignity.
  • The person should come before the product—the worker matters more than what they make.
  • Society as a whole is responsible for solving issues related to work and employment.

Worker Rights and Conditions According to CST

According to Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and Pope Leo XIII, workers have fundamental rights:

Fundamental Worker Rights (Pope Leo XIII)

  1. Laws that protect workers: Workers should be protected by laws that guarantee their rights.
  2. Form unions: Workers should have the right to join or create unions to protect their interests.
  3. Limit working hours: Workers should not be forced to work excessive hours.
  4. Fair wages: Workers should receive fair pay that can support their families. This should be based on justice, not just market competition or the will of the wealthy.

Factors Determining Fair Wages

When determining wages, the following factors should be considered:

  1. Worker’s needs: The salary should be enough to support the worker and their family, prioritizing the basic need for a dignified living. Possible differences in pay should be based on the worker’s contribution.
  2. Company situation: Wages can be adjusted based on the financial condition of the company, whether good or bad.
  3. Common good: Wages should reflect the larger economic situation, including factors like inflation and unemployment, to ensure fairness in society.

Migration, Human Rights, and Refugee Status

Migrations occur when people move to different places in search of better living conditions or to escape difficult situations. The UN Declaration of Human Rights outlines key rights for migrants:

Key Rights in the UN Declaration of Human Rights

  1. Right to Free Movement: Everyone has the right to leave any country and return.
  2. Right to Asylum: Refugee status is granted for individuals fleeing political, racial, or religious persecution, but not typically for economic reasons.

CST Perspective and Criticisms of Asylum Law

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) views migration as a natural human response to needs like survival or a better quality of life. CST emphasizes the importance of dignity and compassion in responding to migrants, including those seeking refuge from difficult conditions.

However, critics of the UN Declaration argue that it insufficiently protects economic migrants, who flee poverty or environmental disasters. While the Declaration focuses on political and social persecution, some believe that economic hardship should also be a valid reason for asylum.

In summary, the UN Declaration allows refugees fleeing political, racial, or religious persecution but does not fully address economic migration. CST promotes a compassionate approach, emphasizing human dignity and the need for countries to balance their sovereignty with the protection of migrants’ rights.

The CST Framework for Addressing Migration

Catholic Social Teaching (CST), especially as expressed by Pope Francis, provides a framework for addressing migration based on dignity and justice, often summarized by four verbs:

1. Protect

  • Every person has the right to live in a place that meets their basic needs, reducing the need to migrate.
  • The right to migrate is affirmed, while recognizing states’ right to control borders.
  • Global citizenship should be recognized, emphasizing human interconnectedness.

2. Welcome

  • Migrants should be met with compassion, recognizing their humanity.
  • Irregular migrants deserve humanitarian care.
  • Collaboration with other organizations is essential to address migration effectively.

3. Promote

  • Christian communities should commit to welcoming and integrating migrants.
  • Administrative processes should be fair and transparent.
  • Society should prioritize the common good, ensuring migrants’ positive contribution to social harmony.

4. Integrate

  • Openness to intercultural initiatives is key to mutual understanding.
  • Migrants have the right to fully integrate into society and access opportunities.

CST views migration as a human reality that requires responses rooted in compassion, justice, and respect for dignity.