Labour Issues and Government Response

Harsh conditions: long hours, low pay, dangerous work
High targets led to intense pressure
Harsh punishments for lateness/absenteeism
Internal passports and fines enforced discipline
Government introduced bonuses, medals, housing to motivate

Skilled Workers

High demand due to lack of specialists
Enjoyed better conditions and pay than unskilled
Promotions, rewards, and housing
Training schemes expanded to grow their numbers

Stakhanovites

Named after miner Alexei Stakhanov (mined 14x/16x target)
Propaganda heroes: used to push others to work harder
Given privileges, rewards, and better housing
Resented by some workers for setting unrealistic standards

Women

Encouraged into workforce due to labour shortages
Became 40% of industrial workforce by 1940
Often paid less than men, limited to certain roles
Few reached top positions but some became managers/Stakhanovites

Urban Workers

Faced poor living standards, overcrowding, and rationing
Many moved from countryside; lacked training
Some gained skills and improved status over time
Conditions improved slightly with progress of FYPs

Managers

Pressured to meet unrealistic targets
Blamed for failures, risked arrest
Could gain bonuses, promotions for success
Some manipulated figures to survive

Summary

Group	Benefitted	Did Not Benefit
Labour Issues	Gov’t offered bonuses, medals, housing as incentives	Harsh punishments, long hours, pressure, poor safety
Skilled Workers	Better pay, status, promotion opportunities, housing	Still worked under pressure; shortages persisted
Stakhanovites	Gained fame, privileges, material rewards	Resented by peers, intense pressure to overperform
Women	Employment opportunities, some rose in ranks	Paid less, limited roles, double burden (work + home)
Urban Workers	Some gained training, job security, urban migration	Poor living conditions, overcrowding, food shortages
Managers	Bonuses and promotions for target success	Unrealistic targets, punishment for failure, arrests, falsification of stats needed