PRIVATIZATION THROUGH LABOR CONFLICTS - THE CASE OF RUSSIA

Privatization is seen in Russia today as the key in the transition to a market economy. There has been a rush of property legislation in 1989 and 1990, a proliferation of privatization plans in 1991 and 1992 and the 'spontaneous privatization' of a number of state-owned enterprises. However, the bulk of production facilities remain in state ownership. The slow pace of privatization is not a technical problem, but rather a social one, which is borne out by current labour conflicts and the outlook for more to erupt. The authors deal with two levels of privatization conflicts: within and outside the enterprise. Special attention is paid to the situation at the microeconomic (factory) level. The article is intended to analyse the origins and development of new types of workplace conflicts in Russia over the intimately connected issues of privatization procedures and job cuts, and the development of institutional forms whereby these conflicts are articulated, negotiated and resolved. The article is based on a survey of various types of enterprises (state-run, collective, labour-owned firm, joint-stock company) using semi-structured interviews with managers, workers and union activists as well as group discussions with shop-floor workers and managerial personnel.