by the Central Bureau of Labour Statistics*), expenses connected with the
lodging-rent, form on the average about 4 9% of the total budget of the
Soviet workmen: i. e. an absolutely insignificant amount. The rent fixed
for the workmen living in confiscated houses is so low that there cannot
be any question of amortization or of a normal repair of houses as this
rent does not even cover the current expenses for maintenance etc.
Jonsequently, houses in which the workmen are obliged to live are gradually
crumbling to pieces. Were the Soviet rulers to collect from the workmen
sums necessary for the support and maintenance of the houses, these sums
would probably form at least 15 to 20 9% of all expenses of the workmen.
The real wages would therefore decrease correspondingly compared with
the pre-revolution period. In other words — even the present not very
nigh level of the real wages is only possible by using up capital represented
oy confiscated houses.
Moreover, as in.recent years the real wages began to approach the pre-
war level, it became still more evident that wages which were bearable
for the former private Russian industry, are economically above the means
of the communistic industry. Hence, the usual talk that the growth of
wages exceeds the increase in the productivity of labour and that accordingly
the present level of wages exceeds already the financial possibilities of the
Soviet industry*¥).
Working Time.
The Bolshevics pretend that they alone in the whole world have actually
realized the 8 hours working day for all categories of workmen without
iy exception. Data of the official statistics of labour state even that the
wverage working day in the industry of U.S.S.R. in the year 1927 was
7, 6 hours. Finally, by a manifesto issued on October 15th 1927, (the
to years Jubilee of the Soviet Republic) the nation was informed of the
‘ntroduction of the 7 hours day. This would lead, according to the
communists, to a new era in the sphere of the social legislation and at the
same time would draw a sharp line between legislation in U.S.S.R. and
that of all capitalistic countries.
As to the above mentioned average norm of 7,6 working hours a day, it
only proves, as any other average figure does, that one lot of workmen
must have worked above this morm and the other less. Taking into con-
*) Pravda No. 178, 7th August, 1927.
*¥) See the interesting remarks made on this subject in the report of the President
of the Supreme Council of the National Economy-Kouibishew: “About the develop-
ment of the cost of production in industry” read at the second plenary meeting of
the S.C.N.E. of U.S.S.R., August 13th, 1927. Published in the Commercial
and Industrial Gazette No. 184, 14th August 1927.
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