Businesses in Peru ‘Cannot Sack Drunk Workers’

One of George Orwell’s most interesting books, and one which may be assumed was his «emancipation proclamation» agains the rigid, doctrinaire Left - wing ideology to which he addressed himself for many years, was entitled : «My country Right or Left.» Perhaps in the fullness of time, we might have a bookf from an hitherto obscure Peruvian author. Perhaps entitled «My country, drunk or sober.»

I also believe that it was Gladstone, who, commenting on the riotous drunkenness which still prevailed, particularly amongst the working classes within both urban and rural England («Gin Lane» etc.,), confessed that he «. . .preferred England free [drunk] to England sober.»

I also believe that habitual, practically ritualistic intoxication, is not confined to the Peruvians; in parts of Mexico, too, this curious habitual intoxication also obtains amongst portions of the population. However, whereas the phenomenon in 19th century England was primarily class - based. In Mexico, and presumably in Peru, I believe that it is primarily the mestizo (mixed race, indigenous or «métis»), who indulge in this curious past time.

A colleague of mine (retired criminal defense attorney) worked a few summers in the late sixties in a General Motors engine block casting plant in the Detroit area. He intimated to me that there are a few Chevy 350 engine blocks out there with human teeth cast into them, mostly due to drunks and stoners falling from the catwalk into a crucible of molten iron. (instant vaporization)

The UAW had such a stranglehold on management that even when foremen discoverd drunks at work, they could only send them to the break room (with pay) until the shift ended or until they sobered up. So as a manufacturing juggernaut, I guess we can say that Detroit is rather like Peru.

“Following the case, his former employer has been ordered to give him the job back, with one of the judges, Fernando Calle, saying his sacking was excessive … The court would not be revising the decision, he added.”

I’ll bet there’s something personal here. Someone should check and see if that Judge Calle is drunk on the job. (no kidding)

“I also believe that habitual, practically ritualistic intoxication, is not confined to the Peruvians; in parts of Mexico, too, this curious habitual intoxication also obtains amongst portions of the population….In Mexico, and presumably in Peru, I believe that it is primarily the mestizo (mixed race, indigenous or «métis»), who indulge in this curious past time.”

I think you’re right. I’ve seen the same thing in Venezuela and Colombia, where it’s standard, expected. It’s a mark of “machismo”.
In other words, in the NORTHERN part of South America - but not the (whiter) SOUTHERN part.

”..they could only send them to the break room (with pay) until the shift ended or until they sobered up. So, as a manufacturing juggernaut, I guess we can say that Detroit is rather like Peru.”

Fascinating. I guess that explains a LOT of things about the Detroit auto industry!

I applaud the Peruvian courts decision. In the footsteps to Ted Kennedy!