GERMAN INDUSTRIES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 80, 30 December 1919, Page 5

GERMAN INDUSTRIES

SYSTEM OF SEMI-SOVIETEM

WORKERS* VOICE IN BUSINESS

MANAGEMENT

(By Telcgcaph-Prcss Association-Copyriffht (Eec. December 29, 5.35 p.m.) London, December 20. Mr. Peacock, writing from Berlin, says:-' The system of semi-sovietism which is operating in connection with German industries looks 'like becoming permanent. It is called •Jietriobsraete. Every workshop has a bank and an insurance company in combination with tho enterprise, and lias an eleclivo workmen's council with tho right of consultation in tho general management in.regard to dismissals, sanitation, hours, and social questions. The workmen's councils do not deal with sales oil. finance, ivhilst wages aro left to collective bargaining between employers and the trades unions. I dis- > cussed tho system with many big manufacturers, who oppose its threatened extension to complete socialisation, but agrco that it is tho right of tho voikers to have a voico in workshop affairs and admit the value of tho councils.' _ Much closer sympathy and good <>ill exists between employers and labour in' Germany ' than in Britain, llenco the system has been received more favourably than might have been expected. The Alinistr; iof Labour informs me that a Bill, vbich ' will shortly bo introduced and which i will become law, is tho result of discussions between tho most ablo industrialists < and financiers. It gives the committees tho forco of law in every undertaking, employing more than twenty workers. Employers must consider tho committee's advico on tho general administration of workshops and finance. In smaller undertakings a shop steward has tho committee's rights. In joint-stock , companies workers' delegates fit on Hi© \ directorate. They cannot givo orders, but must attend tho councils. District councils 'will send delegates to a Central ft Empire Council, composed half of employers and half o£ employees, and with ' largo powers to settle disputes, govern economic and social questions. Solicitors', dontists', and artists' -undertakings aro included. Ono of the groat objects is to keep tho industrial committees frco of political activitiw."—United Service.