THE PRINCIPLES OF ATTRACTING LABOR FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE METALLURGICAL PLANT ZAPORIZHSTAL’ IN THE LATE 40’S - EARLY 50’S OF THE XX CENTURY (ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS OF ARCHIVE DEPARTMENT)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the information potential of the materials of the departmental archive of the Zaporizhstal’ plant, which were dated to the late 40s - early 50s of the twentieth century. Thanks to the analysis of the current documentation of the metallurgical plant’s office, the principles of staffing the plant during the first decade after the end of the Second World War, during the reconstruction, were reconstructed. The shortage of workers was acutely felt at the enterprise, as the use of machinery and mechanization of the restored works were used only on a small scale. Attracting a sufficient number of low-paid workers was the key to the recovery of the industry. Consideration of production situations and life conflicts at the micro-historical level allowed to reproduce the most standard methods used by the plant management to attract and retain workers. Some employees of the Zaporizhstal’ plant were recruited on a freelance basis. The factory also tried to hide people who were hiding from the authorities in their previous places of residence. Lack of staff forced former criminals to be recruited legally. Forced labor played an important role in attracting staff to Zaporizhstal’. Voluntary methods repeated the repressive practices common in Stalin’s time. It was forbidden to resign. Those who quit their jobs were tried and sentenced to 2 to 4 months in prison. Absenteeism was punishable by 6 months of correctional labor, deducting 25% of earnings. The victims of forced personnel policy were orphaned teenagers who were forcibly sent to the plant. The plant also used the temporary involvement of schoolchildren, students and residents of Zaporizhzhia for free performance of low-skilled work at the enterprise.