Impact of Industrial Growth in Russia on Industrial Workers

Pay of workers was low Wages fell between 1928 and 1937 Consumer goods were high in demand due to emphasis on heavy industries Clothing and household items were unavailable to commoners Insufficient medical facilities, houses and schools Due to huge influx of people going into cities from countryside 100, 000 workers died in the construction of the Belomar Canal

5-Year-Plans stipulated unreasonable figures 250% in total industrial output, 350% in heavy industries Workers were not given any leave Absenteeism regarded as treason and punishable by law Many workers had to work for 11 hours a day Salary paid through rations If workers did not meet quotas, they would not get to eat

Government exercised tight control over labour force Policies had immense power over populace Heavy industries given high priority in 5-Year-Plan Millions of peasants were directed into towns and cities to work in factories and mines Ordinary workers were harshly disciplined Perpetuated by poor workmanship and absence of guidance

Brochures, pamphlets and posters were distributed to boost the morale of the workers One man was said to be working at a rate 500% more productive than the average worker Most figures were grossly exaggerated Named individuals were killed by jealous workers Some aimed to convince workers to go to the most inhospitable regions of the USSR to help build an urban Communist society Aid provided by the Capitalist West

Failure to meet stipulated targets would mean that workers and manages would be humiliated, deported and fined Workers which made mistakes were found to be guilty of sabotage Were subsequently imprisoned Lateness or absence would result in one losing one’s job Also often meant loss of one’s flat/home

Arose due to collectivization Grain production fell from 1928 to 1932 Livestock took till 1953 to regain its level at 1928 Government hoarded grain to sell to other countries to earn foreign currency to be used for investment in industry Done despite the death of 7 million peasants Greatly reduced standard of living of workers in Russia

Increased connectivity in Russia Trans-Siberian railway built with double tracks and improved infrastructure Collectivization allowed for machinery to increase work rates Farming integrated into agricultural industry Greater available supply of energy Dneiper Dam constructed, providing hydro-electric power

5-Year-Plans allowed for greater employment of populace Many Soviet workers acquired well-paid jobs with unemployment almost non-existent By 1940, Russia had more doctors per head of population than Britain Successful workers were given special privileges and titles Alexei Stakhanov found a way to increase produce by 14 times in one night; ‘Stakhanovites’ named in his honour ‘Stakhanovites’ were allowed to go for holidays and had preferential working hours

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