How successful was the government in providing social security for the Soviet people between 1917 and 1985? Flashcards
Labour market under Lenin
Unemployment soared and reached over a mil workers by 1926
What were arteli?
Groups of workers, usually in same trade, who offered their services as a group and paid as a group
Older members arranged jobs and distributed pay often on length of beard
What did fiveyr plans lead to
Full employment and labour shortages(1932)- first country to achieve full employment in peacetime.
Full employ impact
Restrictions placed on trade unions- no longer able to negotiate with managers to improve conditions tho poor and basic health and safety
Productivity low 1927, avg Soviet worker produced hapf of what british worker. This meant managers used uninterrupted eork long shifts not much time off and often, hard repetitive and challenging
By 1937, how many urban workers changed their jobin each quarter of the year?
30% so 1932 passport system ineffective
Why were higher wages a small incentive
Little to buy in shops
What was used to discourage workers from moving jobs?
1931 Wage differentials between skilled and unskilled workers, better rations and bonuses.
1934 piecework rates expanded which pleased skilled workers
What else was used to motivate workforce?
Honours and medals
Workers encouraged to work like the hero Alexei Stakhanov who could mine 15X avg amount of coal
Komosol enthusiasts to form shock bigades to instil socialist values to workforce
Rewards for model workers like new flat and bigger rations and slackers ridiculed
Negative consequence
Increase in absenteeism
1939 made criminal offense but not always applied
Despite full employment, at a time when most of the developed world was experiencing an economic depression that put millions out of work, what were negatives?
Harsh, drab life. Long time before material benefits of full employment enjoyed
Social benefits in workplace
1930 cheap food in workplace canteens
Even difficult yrs had rabbit
Trade unions organised sports facilities, meetings and film shows, workers given 2weeks paid hols and sick pay.
What guaranteed full employ?
Soviet Constitution of 1977
How much did real wages increase 1967-77?
50%
What was enjoyed
Job security
