Beyond Toil

Through the voices of various characters, the poem paints a vivid picture of the struggles and challenges faced by workers, while also highlighting the potential benefits of AI and digitalization.

The morning sun begins to rise,
Through weary hands and hopeful eyes.
They step to toil, to strive, to make,
To build a world each time they wake.

The morning bell, the clock’s embrace,
Another day�"the same old race.
Workers rise with weary sighs,
Chasing dreams beneath gray skies.

The farmer bends with aching back,
The builder climbs with hands so cracked.
The nurse stands firm through endless night,
The teacher’s voice fades out of sight.

A job is more than toil and pay�"
It shapes our lives in every way.
To work with joy, to feel at ease,
The workplace must be built to please.

"No time for helmets�"get to work!"
"Gloves? Too costly�"just don’t shirk!"
"Skip the drills�"they take too long,"
"We need results, so move along!"

The factory hums, the machines don’t rest,
The workers push to do their best.
Lunch is short, the break is thin,
Deadlines whisper, stress creeps in.

A heavy load, a careless grip,
A sudden fall, a fatal slip.
The harness hangs�"unused, ignored,
One mistake�"lives unexplored.

Chemicals spill, the air turns thick,
Breaths grow short, the fumes too quick.
A spark flies high, a fire ignites,
Smoke fills halls, blinding sight.

"Your safety first�"before the task!"
"No risk too small, no rule to mask."
"Wear your gear, take your time�"
A job well done is one that’s fine."

Wear your helmet, secure your stand,
Take a break, don’t force your hand.
Conduct your drills, learn the way,
For safety builds a brighter day.

Pay fair wages, show you care,
A worker’s worth is more than fair.
For where commitment lights the way,
No life is lost, no dreams decay.

The world is shifting, fast and bright,
With AI shaping day and night.
From data streams to robots’ hands,
It’s changing how our labor stands.

Smart sensors scan for heat and strain,
AI predicts and warns of pain.
Drones inspect where risks arise,
Machines protect with watchful eyes.

So let us lead, adapt, and learn,
Let fear give way to what we earn.
For AI’s power, vast and grand,
Should serve the world, not rule the hand.

So let us build, protect, defend,
Where work is safe, risk must end.
A pledge from those who lead the fight�"
"Your safety first, your future bright."

Happy World Day for Safety and Health at Work!
Emerging Technologies and their Impact on Workers Health and Safety