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People Who Do Physical Work Should be Paid on Par with Who Have High Degree - Task 2 Band 9 Essay

Updated: Mar 18

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.


Write about the following topic:


Some believe that people who do physical work should be paid on par with people who have high level degree.

Do you agree or disagree?


Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.


You should write at least 250 words.


Task 2 Essay Band 9 Sample Answer

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Model Essay 1

The debate on whether physical labor should be compensated equally to positions requiring high-level degrees sparks considerable controversy. This essay contends that while educational qualifications warrant recognition, the value of physical work cannot be underestimated, focusing on the intrinsic value of labor and the societal necessity of diverse job roles.


Firstly, the intrinsic value of physical work is often overshadowed by the prestige associated with higher education. Yet, roles such as construction workers, who ensure our infrastructure's integrity, and farmers, who sustain our food supply, are indispensable. Their contribution is not merely physical but requires a deep understanding of their craft, often undervalued in monetary terms. For instance, a skilled carpenter can create structures that last generations, a testament to the blend of physical prowess and nuanced expertise. This underscores the need for a revised valuation that fairly recognizes their critical input to our society's fabric.


Moreover, societal functionality relies on the diverse roles individuals perform. The pandemic highlighted the critical nature of so-called 'low-skilled' jobs, with sanitation workers, delivery personnel, and retail employees crucial to daily life. Their roles, essential during crises, maintained societal continuity, showing that job value extends beyond academic credentials to societal contribution. This period proved these professions are our unsung heroes, necessitating a reevaluation of their worth. The call for equal pay across physical and academic jobs isn't just about financial equity but recognizing diverse skills and contributions, urging a broader appreciation of all roles in society.


In conclusion, equating the remuneration of physical labor with roles requiring high-level degrees is a multifaceted issue that transcends financial equity. It touches upon acknowledging the intrinsic value of all forms of work and their indispensable role in societal well-being.


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Model Essay 2

The contention that physical labor should be remunerated equally to professions requiring advanced degrees is a provocative one. This essay argues that equitable compensation should reflect the essential nature of the job and its contribution to society, focusing on the principles of equity and societal value.


Physical laborers, such as electricians and plumbers, perform tasks foundational to our daily lives, ensuring safety and comfort. These professions demand not only physical exertion but also a comprehensive mastery of specialized skills, acquired through rigorous training and experience. For example, an electrician’s work, intricate and hazardous, is pivotal in maintaining the electrical backbone of our communities. Their expertise, critical to preventing potential disasters, exemplifies the blend of physical skill and intellectual prowess, clearly meriting compensation on par with highly degreed professionals, like engineers or architects.


Additionally, the societal value of a job should be a primary factor in determining compensation. Teachers, often holding advanced degrees, are undeniably essential for intellectual development and societal progress, shaping the minds of future generations. However, the significance of refuse collectors, ensuring cleanliness and public health, is equally vital. The recent health crisis highlighted their indispensable role, as they risked their well-being for public safety, demonstrating unparalleled dedication. This parallel underscores the argument that compensation should be reflective of societal contribution rather than academic attainment alone, promoting a more equitable and just workforce.


In summary, championing equal pay for physical and academic roles promotes a necessary reevaluation of labor's value, advocating for fairness by acknowledging the essential contributions of all professions to societal welfare. This aligns with the principle that equitable remuneration is not only ethically sound but crucial for societal harmony.


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Sample Essay 3

Some people propose that everyone should have equal salary no matter he or she works in labour intensive industries or technology intensive industries. I strongly disagree with this concept since this proposition reduces the improvement incentives both of individuals and whole society.


A good reason to object the same payment is that it will definitely hinder people from pursuing further education to enhance the productivity. In other words, If a manual worker and a qualified individual end up earning the same amount of money, then the value of education will decline. People invest a lot of money in education hoping that one day they will have a promising career with a high pay package and if they see that the people with no qualification are also getting paid the same then they will lose interest in education. In a presumed scenario, for example, the solicitors get the same monthly pay as the cleaners. Thus, this feature would eventually demotivate people from spending time to gain further knowledge or work-skills.


Another point is that the society would lack of skilled workers for leveraging the industrial revolution technologies and stewarding industry transformations due to the same payment phenomena. In addition, the countries would lose the opportunities to enhance their resilience to the regional and global competition. Taiwan without multiple natural resources, for instance, is beneficial from rich IT labour markets. The IT experts with at least two-times higher salary and bonus help Taiwan create economic miracles and become one of developed countries instead of in the lists of the developing country. Thus, the salary incentives for skilled workers would increase the possibility of radical industry transformation.


To sum up, I am still of the opinion that no difference payments would have negative effects on individuals or society in the long run due to the low motivation for enhancing the improvements.


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