Religion and Workers’ Associations for Decent Work in Spain

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

It is an interesting topic that can be published but with some minor corrections, if the authors can outline a sequence of theoretical background, positioned after the introduction, to indicate the references used, and which are now found in other sections of the paper. (eg. Results).

Author Response

 

Dear Reviewer 1

Thank you very much for your review. We consider that your comments greatly improve the quality of the article.

 

It has been drawn an outline of the sequence of theoretical background and has positioned after the introduction as suggested by reviewer 1.

Please see the text marked in YELLOW in that section of the article. Page 1.

 

Sincerely.

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Lines 1-91 provide an exemplary model of social scientific research: the parameters and methodology are clear, the motive is clear, the artifacts chosen have a sensible relationship to the this. 

91-165: This section is very satisfying to read: you provide a multidimensional definition of work that is elegant in its distinctions and robust in its nuances. Given the expansive set of resources you draw upon, you may also benefit from reading Gregory Bateson's work, but only because reading it would amplify your instincts already. 

On a formatting end, some of your sentences are followed by 2 spaces, others by 1. Standardizing this would provide an easier reading experience. This seems to carry through into later sections. 

166: I personally really enjoy introducing things by relating terms to etymological roots--I find your distinction of pay and salary in this regard to be quite fruitful. 

165-219: You cover a ton of conceptual territory with clarity, detail, and attention. This allows you to introduce concepts that are vastly complicated (neo-liberal economic policies and anthropological assumptions about work) in a meaningful way that readers can process. Well done. 

220: The weird spacing issue is also in the subsection titles.

221-292: You do a great job of contextualizing the general issue of work and more specific discussion of employment relative to the EU/ILO as context for a particular discussion of Spain. All of this allows for a seamless informational experience for your reader.

292-357: This section ends with strong analysis, just as it starts: you show how the history of the ILO (going back to 1999) is consistent with a sense of decent work that you've been building throughout. 

405-406: The grammar seems off in this sentence.

357-432: Excellent job of weaving in the place of the Catholic Church in its history of supporting workers' rights. 

447: As you've already cited Maslow, looking to his formulation of B-values (which parallel spirituality) may show another homology that allows a marriage of Church and Labour organizations even without a specific doctrinal agreement. 

448-486: Your conclusion shows the elegant structure of your argument, crystalizing it in your reader's mind. This was lovely to read: thank you for your work. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 2

Thank you very much for your review. We consider that your comments greatly improve the quality of the article.

Please see the text marked in BLUE in the article.

 

Lines 1-91: OK, thanks for your comments.

Lines 91-165: The reference to Gregory Bateson recommended by the reviewer has been included. Please, see lines 137-140: the text marked in BLUE in the paper and the whole reference in this section of the article.

-The double spaces mentioned by the reviewer throughout the text have been corrected.

 

166: OK, many thanks for your comments.

165-219: OK, many thanks for your comments.

Spacing issue in the subsection titles have been corrected.

221-292: OK, many thanks for your comments.

292-357: OK, many thanks for your comments.

405-406: The grammar seems off in this sentence.

Clearer new wording has been incorporated. Please, see text marked in BLUE, lines 420-422.

357-432: OK, many thanks for your comments.

447:  A quote from Maslow (1991) is added as suggested by the reviewer 2. Please, see text marked in BLUE, lines 462-464.

448-486: many thanks for your comments.

Sincerely.

Reviewer 3 Report

The article makes a brief but complete review of the work and decent work projects and indicates the contribution that the Catholic Church has had in Spain and in the world in this direction.
In the conclusions and future implications the authors could consider the different implications that the topics treated have on health. They could cite the relationships between unemployment and health, between inequality and health, between migration and health

 

The manuscript is interesting and comprehensive in describing the evolution of the concept of work in social thought. The paper is well written and easy to read.  

The arguments raised in support of the role of religion are consequential and likely valid. Since social phenomena have a significant impact on the economy and on the health of the population, I believe that it may be useful to indicate how this study can be the basis for in-depth research in this direction.  

I can suggest the authors mentioning the studies in which the usefulness of religiosity in the prevention of occupational stress and burnout has been demonstrated, eg.: Chirico et al. Spirituality and prayer on teacher stress and burnout in an Italian cohort. A pilot before-after controlled study. Front Psychol 2020, 10: 2933 DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02933   Best regards

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 3

Thank you very much for your review. We consider that your comments greatly improve the quality of the article.

Please see the text marked in GREEN in the article.

1.- In the conclusions, mention has been made of the future implications of the study, as the reviewer 3 proposes. Please see text outlined in green in that section. Page 12.

2-thanks for your comments.

3- A comment on the subject indicated by the reviewer 3 has been included at the end of the introduction of the article. Please see text outlined in green in that section. Page 2.

4- A reference is made to spirituality and its relationship with health as noted by reviewer 3. The citation suggested by reviewer 3 is added (Chirico et al, 2020).

Please see the text marked in GREEN in the article. Page 10

 

Sincerely.