These notes attempt to instill in the members of our Social Concerns Group the habit of Christian analytic thinking on social issues. We presuppose that each group and each member of the group are already actively engaged in one concrete justice issue. This series of Lessons attempts to introduce key concepts (one or two words). We attempt to relate these concepts to everyday life and Catholic social teachings. These general concepts may at times not speak directly to the social issue being addressed in our Social Concerns Group but rather provide a broad background and to read the daily newspaper from a gospel perspective. These lessons do not constitute a course in Christian economics but will hopefully whet our appetites to read the Church’s social encyclicals.

In this lesson, we take an basic economic concept: the indirect employer. We may continue to have an occasional McDonald’s “Big Mac” or shop at chain stores because of they are cheaper or have a broader stock. But we will not plead culpable ignorance and attempt to shop more responsibly, support those who are actively addressing these injustices.

• Lunch at “QH&C”. The Church teaches that each of us is not only a consumer but also an “indirect employer.” According to Catholic moral teaching, culpable ignorance is a sin. This lesson encourages us to be responsible consumers and if not directly involved in the solution at least support those who are so engaged. Each Asian country will be able to supply its own favorite international chain of restaurants and department stores.

• Church’s Social Teaching. The key phrase is the statement: “Is he ready to pay a higher price for imported goods so that the producers may be more justly rewarded?” Here is an implicit reference to our responsibility as an “indirect employer.”

• Thou Shalt Think.

  1.		Mr. Wong should/should not have his lunch at QH&C” because: Sample responses: He will get high cholesterol Little children in China work ten hours a day producing “Pooper Dolls.” But if he doesn’t buy the “QH&C” meal the family in India will have no income at all. He is hungry. Whether he eats there or not, the kids in India will be hungry tonight. He should patronize a small family restaurant. One person ordering such a meal at “QH&C” won’t make a good deal of difference. He is doing an act of kindness to his daughter. He can get back to work quicker and when he retires he can address this issue.
  2.		An “indirect employer is a person who: Sample responses: is a consumer who has no legal responsibility towards any of the providers once the purchase contract is concluded. has people who provide him with goods/service but to whom he has no obligation other than to pay mutually agreed upon price
  3.		“Factors of production” Machinery, capital, investors, innovators, cooks, cashiers, menial staff (often the elderly, the students and the physically/mentally challenged persons), managers, merchants, farmers, family members of farming households, middlemen-women, transport workers, factory workers.)
  4.		How much of this profit do you think would be assigned to each “human factor”? Just make an off-hand guess. But keep question in back of mind. Ask the company for their annual report.
  5.		Mr. Wong takes today’s meal at QH&C” but as a responsible Catholic and “indirect employer” he: Sample responses: When he orders his lunch he asks a questions such as: ‘Do your menial staff receive a living wage?’ Or “What is the policy of the restaurant towards labor unions?” Or “Are these toys made in China by children.” But next time he will choose a family operated restaurant. He will look upon each of the human beings involved in this business as “my employee.” He will inform the company that I would be willing to pay more for my dinner so that those who do not receive a living wage, can do so. He will write a letter to the company and ask whether they can pay a living wage “to my [sic] employees” including the students and those physically and mentally challenged. Are there any extenuating circumstances making it necessary for the company to pay a substandard wage and remain competitive. What would they suggest Mr. Wong as a consumer and “indirect employer” do to cooperate with them and right this inequality? He will ask whether the workers are encouraged to form their own labor unions.

• Discuss. Lesson 31 opens a Pandora’s box of economic issues: living wage, terms of trade, mobility of labor, structured unemployment, mobility of capital, just price, margin of profit, laissez faire capitalism, Marxist economics etc.”

• Reference: Albino Barrera, O.P., Modern Catholic Social Documents and Political Economy, (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2001.) This excellent book is highly recommended for those who wish a systematic and comprehensive treatment of the issues raised in Lesson 31.