Personnel of Producers’ Artels of the Kurgan Region (1946–1960)

Based on archival materials, the paper analyzes the dynamics of the number and personnel structure of producers’ artels in the Kurgan region in 1946–1960. The reasons for changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the artels are investigated. The categories of workers are systematized. Statistical data on the share of young people are given. The employment of disabled people is characterized. The paper considers the issue of state control over producers’ cooperatives, where various violations were frequent: embezzlement, misappropriation, private entrepreneurial activity, etc. The problems of training and education of labor and managerial personnel are analyzed. It is noted that the heads of producers’ cooperatives and unions, as well as representatives of working professions, had a generally low level of education. The study presents data on artels’ cultural and recreational activities, which were generally unsatisfactory. Special attention is paid to the causes of high staff turnover, which negatively affected the implementation of production plans, the quality of products, the adaptation of new employees in labor collectives and many other indicators of the artels’ economic life.