Social Security Flashcards
(33 cards)
Why was Labour conscription introduced in 1918
Ensures that the red army was adequately supplied to win the civil war
Labour exchanges established for what reason
To supervise the hiring of workers
What was the unemployment situation like in 1926 and how did it affect skilled workers under the NEP?
Unemployment soared by 1926.
For skilled workers, there was increasing job security and real wages started to rise
Describe the ‘arteli’ system under the NEP.
Arteli’ were groups of workers.
They arranged jobs and distributed pay for the recruitment of labour.
How did wage differentials change under the NEP and why?
Wage differentials grew.
Skilled workers demanded more money than their underskilled counterparts.
When did the Soviet government announce it achieved full urban employment in peacetime, and how did they achieve it?
Announced in 1930
Achieved as a consequence of the push to industrialise through the Five Year Plans.
How much did the number of hired workers increase from 1928 to 1937?
From 11.6 million in 1928 to 27 million in 1937.
What was the impact of full employment on productivity in the Soviet Union during the Five Year Plans?
Productivity was low, with the average Soviet worker in 1927 producing only half of what a British worker would.
Productivity increased slowly during the Five Year Plans but still lagged behind the industrialised West.
What measures did the government take to control labour turnover and absenteeism during the industrialisation period?
In 1932, an internal passport was needed to change jobs.
In 1931, harsh punishments were implemented for absenteeism in key industries.
In 1939, absenteeism was made a criminal offence, potentially resulting in imprisonment.
what was the state of housing provision under the Five Year Plans?
The Soviet government was slow to provide housing, with resources being non-existent due to the rush to industrialise.
Workers often slept in tents, makeshift huts, or factories.
Communal apartment blocks were built, but privacy was severely lacking.
What social benefits were available to Soviet workers, mainly through the workplace and trade unions?
Cheap food in workforce canteens.
Trade unions organised sport facilities, meetings, and film shows.
Two weeks paid holiday.
Free work clothes.
How did healthcare improve in the Soviet Union between 1928 and 1940, and what was a notable public health campaign?
The number of doctors doubled from 70,000 in 1928 to 155,000 in 1940
Lenin launched a campaign to eradicate lice-spread typhus, which caused 6 million deaths between 1918-20.
How did full employment manifest under Khrushchev and Brezhnev, and what was a characteristic of the jobs created?
Full employment continued from the 1930s
Many jobs created were undemanding, repetitive, and sometimes pointless.
What was the trend in wages and wage differentials under Khrushchev and Brezhnev
Wages rose by 50% from 1967-77.
Wage differentials were relatively low, less than half of that of the USA in 1970.
What was the nature of job security under Khrushchev and Brezhnev, and how did managers often react to low performance?
It was very difficult to dismiss someone.
Managers often ignored low standards of work discipline, laziness, or alcoholism.
What measures were introduced regarding minimum wage and working hours/holidays under Khrushchev and Brezhnev?
A minimum wage was introduced in 1956.
The working week was reduced in 1957.
The number of paid holiday days increased.
What was the fate of trade unions during the industrialisation period, despite their role in social benefits?
Trade unions were stripped of any political and economic power.
How did the targets for the production go for Khrushchev
Weren’t met
Progress was sufficient for the population to recognise real improvements
What did the central committee of the communist party develop
Nomenklatura system
When were collective farmers allowed passports
After 1974, bringing farmers into a system that offered some hope of mobility and betterment for the rural population
Why did member ship of the party grow
Getting a passport was much easier if you were educated or had become a petty activist
How much did the membership of the communist grow
From 6.9 million in 1953 to 17 million in 1980
By 1970s ,20% of all males over the age of 30 were party members
