In the first quarter of the year 2022, a large number of labor conflicts have been evidenced, both in public and private administration; this social trigger is an indicator to make labor coexistence visible as a priority space for conflict resolution.
Conflict is constant and present in everyday life, both individual and collective. The current crisis and violence have a decisive influence on emotion, health and coexistence.
It can be intervened through communication tools that allow finding peaceful solutions, however, there are limits. Violence seen from the perspective of Eduard Vinyamata (2014) teaches us that, “...it is everything that can represent or mean harm, produce, by effect or default, an evil to another, or to oneself in the environment; whether performed or carried out consciously or unconsciously”.
In the workplace, the violence exercised by power relations between bosses and subordinates breaks the limits and dialogue, causing damage, which in many cases is not detected in time, putting the mental health of workers at risk.
In search of a solution, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has implemented conflict prevention and resolution systems, both within and outside labor ministries. The ILO has been supporting member states, workers' organizations and employers' organizations to create or strengthen such mechanisms.
In this context, it is evident that labor relations are part of social coexistence, therefore, we have a commitment to work in community. Socioemotional skills such as self-knowledge, relationship, self-motivation, self-control and empathy help us to improve self-esteem and cultivate a culture of peace. It should be emphasized that “When we refer to the culture of peace, it should be promoted not so much through a schizophrenic discourse that proclaims values but does not practice them; it should be developed in a comprehensive manner, so that words coincide with attitudes, objectives and ways of living in solidarity and cooperation, especially in close environments such as the family, work and neighborhood, without forgetting the distant environments...” (Eduard Vinyamata, 2014).
For both the Ecuadorian State and the citizens, the shared commitment will allow the creation of spaces for conflict resolution, which will allow the use of tools such as effective communication and collective negotiation, strengthening social alliances.
Mgs. Sara Mantilla
Online master's degree teacher
