Labor under the Soviets

HEN the Soviet Government boldly adopted the Five Year Plan it had three aims in view: first, bring about the rapid industrialization of Soviet Russia ? a natural desire for a government bent on socializing a peasant country; second, liberate the country from foreign dependence and make it economically self-sufficient; third, increase the military strength of the Red Army. The Plan also had impor tant international aims, and these constitute a further reason why no effort has been spared carry it fulfilment.1 In spite of many failures in both quality and quantity of achievement, the results of the Five Year Plan have as a whole been quite remarkable. To no small extent this has been due the enthusiasm of the workers in the state But the chief cause of what progress has been made is be found in the drastic exploitation of the working class and in the pressure which has been put on all other classes. The methods applied by the Soviet Government in dealing with labor would be impossible in normal times in any civilized democratic country. The system of piece-work wages has been introduced wherever possible. This system is contrary all socialistic conceptions, but the Soviet rulers realized very well that here they had a powerful incentive with which increase the productivity of labor, and an important means of swelling the profits of the employer, i.e. the state. A special order signed by the praesidium of the Central Council of Trades Unions and the Supreme Council of National Economy on December 13, 1930, seeks to regulate wages by encouraging laborers increase the quality and output of their labor, by means of the utmost possible application of piece-work wages and by forcing skilled laborers (or unskilled laborers where there is a lack of such) remain in their respective factories. Means like these stimulate the workers' zeal increase pro duction; on the other hand, the quality of production is lowered and the workers' health suffers. Overstrain is very noticeable among Soviet workmen and the administrative personnel. w

Development economics · Economics · Political economy · Political science · Russia and Soviet political economy