The Puerto Rican Elf (“El Duende Boricua”)
Browsing on Facebook I ran into this video explaining what would happen if a Puerto Rican Government Employee, who lost his job when Governor Fortuño and his administration decided to leave approximately 20,000 individuals on the street, would go to work in the North Pole.
It criticizes the work ethic of some of our labor force who focus on having a good time and trying to play the system than brining actual results. Sadly this type of work ethic is seen in the private sector as well as in the government sector.
As a Puerto Rican born, raised, and currently struggling to survive on the Island, I have to say that as much as the video bothers me I see a positive side. We need to take a step back and and look at what we need to do to fix many issues.
The video is in spanish and if you have any questions feel free to ask we can gladly translate.
How do you react when you see something that bothers you? Do you try to fix the issue or ignore it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTASzOVWitE
If you can’t see the video click here.
We try to fix it!
We all have to love our work! We all need to reflect ourselves in the work we do without thinking “this is for 30 years”. :)))
I agree making sure we do our best is critical for our success and the success of those around us!
Honestly I don’t like AT ALL that people take the time to make this types of videos. There are so many positive things to talk about Puerto Rico, but no, the negatives apparently are better. Sadly the video is right, there are people here with that kind of work ethic. I believe that I should work twice as hard to accomplish my dreams and those people that have the video work ethic mentality, are not even worth my attention. Succeeding with people who want to succeed, that’s all.
Luis,
My initial reaction was the same as yours. Analyzing a bit more we need to share more of these issues to see if people are so disgusted by it they don’t repeat the behavior.
I guess sometimes using a different approach towards the same problems might finally change some minds.
I know a lot of people who think they are not like that elf but when it comes to working on weekends, holiday, or sacrificing themselves for service it never happens.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Look at it from another perspective the person who created this might have good intentions by creating awareness to fix the issue.
Sadly, the laws in Puerto Rico although designed to protect employees, it has resulted in a tool for them to take advantage of certain situations. Ever tried to write an employee up for 35 tardiness in a row? They go to the fondo, a secretary automatically pits hem on 30 day leave then they investigate the manager.
Cuerin,
I could not agree more I guess it is part of the strategy of our local government to control the masses.
Thanks for your comment!
In my opinion, El Duende Boricua espouses a exaggeratedly negative view of public sector workers in Puerto Rico and, intentionally or not, the video comes across as an apology of Ley 7 layoffs and privatization of government services. There is also a very subtle anti-union message in the animation: once the elfs organize and demand better pay, they are all laid off and re-hired through a “private” third party. Classic union busting unfair labor practice.
I think the main message has to do with the laziness of many government employees. There are exceptions to the rule but if you have been to any government agency you can see how motivation and having a sense of urgency is something government employees really don’t care about.
Labor rights are one thing and abusing the system by not doing what you are suppose to do is the other. I am not in favor of employers abusing employees same reason I went on my own. But as a small business owner and on the other side as a consumer I run into many situations where employees are clearly not doing not even the minimum of to earn there money in a ethical and fun way.
I come from a family which fought for the Socialist movement in the 70’s and is completely against the current government administrations changes in the labor force.
On the other side I am also tired of working hard for my money and seeing many rob there employees of their money and limiting productivity everywhere.
@1dc5aedcafc5f585b0f272f5a18fbf39:disqus thanks for sharing your thoughts!
There is nothing wrong about privatization of government services. The only result possible is better more efficient and less expensive services. From a taxpayer’s perspective this is the way to go. Also, if unions had their way, there would not be a free enterprise system. They think that they own the shop. WRONG! Somebody bust their butt working and risked his capital to organize a business, and the union now wants to tell him how to run it. Less government and less unions will get Puerto Rico out of the rut it finds itself in. In my life (I am 71 years old) I have never seen any government agency do anything more efficiently than the free enterprise.
As a small business owner I have to agree that Unions favor in many occasions the people behind the union.
I am a firm believer that each and every person chooses where they want to work and how they want to handle the relationships reason why I went on my own.
Thanks for your feedback Cathillet
My pleasure, Raul. I beleive in individual freedom, less government, less taxes, a person’s right to work, individual responsibility to care for themselves and their family and our constitutional right to bear arms. Incidentally, I am 100% Boricua, born in Juana Diaz, raised in Aguirre but now living in exile because I could not exercise those rights in my beloved island. I encourage you to keep up your noble quest. Have a wonderful Christmas and a better new year.
I agree with every right you have mentioned.. I wish our island was free to make its own decisions not under the umbrella of those that manipulate what we can do or can’t…
I am from Ponce and I had a good friend that grew up in Aguirre!
I wish our island was free to make its own decisions also. However, we must understand that realistically, even independent countries have those who will manipulate what the people can or cannot do. Independence will not cure this, mainly because that problem is not an ‘American” problem. It is human nature and we see it every day in all independent nations throughout the planet. There will always be dictators and oppresors. So you see, government is not the solution, government is the problem. That is why I say that the less government we have, the better off we will be. It should be a government by the people, and for the people. Not by the governors for those that govern. The notion that it is the role of government to supply our needs and solve our problems is completely erroneous.
I could not agree more Government is the problem.