|
East Germany The Working Class
In 1985 workers constituted 89 percent of the labor force, or
about 7.9 million people. Consistent with communist ideology,
however, official figures make no distinction between mental and
manual labor. Instead all "workers"--laborers, clerks, technical
and scientific personnel, and professionals--are considered part
of a nonantagonistic social class.
East German workers have not always supported the reforms
carried out in their name. In the postwar period, the widespread
and rapid nationalization of industry and collectivization of
agriculture caused some severe dislocations and hardships and
were not popular among the people. The workers' revolt of 1953
began as a protest against the high cost of living and the
imposition of higher work norms and blossomed into a political
protest that was crushed only with the aid of Soviet troops.
Until the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961, industrial workers
and farmers constituted, in absolute numbers, the majority of
refugees fleeing to the West. While their motives for leaving may
have been related more to economic conditions than to ideology,
their departure in such large numbers was a testament to the
repressive policies of the regime.
Over the years, and particularly since the 1960s, the East
German leadership has concentrated on gaining the support and
loyalty of the working population and on restructuring society
through the implementation of comprehensive social programs in
the areas of housing, health, welfare, and education
(see The Educational System
, this ch.). In addition, officials have
focused on raising the standard of living and satisfying the
demands of workers for more and better consumer goods. The
Constitution guarantees the citizen health protection, improved
living conditions, care in old age, and dwelling space for his or
her family. The record of the government in these areas has been
mixed.
Data as of July 1987
|
