It must have been at least twenty years since I chuckled at the following headline in the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit: “A Polish plumber walks through Europe.” This was a reference to the terrifying phrase “A ghost goes through Europe – the ghost of communism” from Karl Marx’s “The Communist Manifesto”. As I recall it, the article was both a problematization of, and a reflection on, the opening of the EU and Europe to the east – and the consequences of this for working life and crafts in the “old” member states. This is how the Zeit article had a lot in common with Ole Thorstensen’s excellent book “Bare en jobb”. A book I just left as I read, with my head full of thoughts and insights. Old and new, some adjusted, others in heureka format. The cheap Pole I am most impressed by Thorstensen’s ability to investigate and write about labor migration, «Polish work», work culture, the same and different, in an openly discussing and questioning way. This is a way of working and writing that can sometimes seem to lie on a cot in our time. “Pole work” is used almost exclusively in a negative, often condescending sense. Thorstensen recalls how the term is perceived as synonymous with “cheap”. But, early in the book, he also writes this: Went to Poland to work I read “Just a job” as an investigative report and essay at the same time. Carpenter and author Ole Thorstensen traveled to Poland, to Kraków, to find a job. It may sound backwards, but the idea is brilliant. The result is this book. Kraków has a population similar to Oslo, Thorstensen writes. He wants to compare both the social aspects of working life and everyday life as well as attitudes to subjects, professional pride and work ethic. How different are the Polish and Norwegian craftsmen – really? Language and work Thorstensen does not know Polish, and many of those he meets know little or no English. This is how he experiences the linguistic challenges on his body, much like the Pole in Norway. Then language is also central in this book, on several levels. All subjects have a professional language directly related to the work tasks and how they are to be performed, Thorstensen writes: The Polish artist A common image of the “Polish craftsman” is a kind of semi-learned artist who starts on almost any project. Painting, masonry, carpentry, laying of pipes. You name it, the Pole can. “Just a job” goes into this performance and confirms it a long way. At the same time, the author is looking for an explanation he partly finds in a traditional attitude to work and crafts in Poland: It is allowed to expect a lot, also courage. While the Norwegian attitude, where the skilled worker sticks to one subject (his own), can be seen as laziness. Just like insisting on working hours and proper safety conditions. A good communicator The reader has a lot to praise Ole Thorstensen and his communication skills for. One example is the way he explains the connection between the construction industry’s decline in productivity and the staffing agencies’ business operations. A serious contractor wants the work to be carried out properly in the shortest possible time, with the aids and tools available. The staffing agency in turn sells working hours. The more the merrier. The more workers in a job, the faster money flows in. Prejudice-free and important Thorstensen’s argument for the connection between vocational education and an improved level of professional knowledge is also instructive and convincing. Schools are important, he writes and continues: It is therefore possible to discuss labor immigration without having to turn right and left, shout about us and them, and rather steer away from ideological tyranny. Even so, “Just a Job” is an important book. news reviewer Photo: Pelikanen publishing house Title: «Only a job» Author: Ole Thorstensen Genre: Non-fiction Publishing house: Pelikanen publishing house Number of pages: 253 Date: 2022 Hi there! I am a freelancer and reviewing literature for news, preferably crime novels. Here are some crime novels, both fresh and classic, that I recommend you read.
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“Just a job” by Ole Thorstensen – Reviews and recommendations
