This book examines changes in official Soviet policy towards the labour protection of women workers, 1917-41. Important legislative enactments are analysed. In the 1920s emphasis was placed on the 'protection' of female labour by the agencies responsible for regulating women's role in industrial production. With the mass recruitment of women workers to the Soviet industrialisation drive by the early 1930s, labour protection issues were often ignored as women were encouraged to play a more 'equal' role in the production process.

List of Tables Acknowledgments Introduction Protection of Women Workers in Tsarist Russia Women Workers and Soviet Industrialisation Administration of the Protective Labour Laws Maternity Hours of Employment Provision for 'Menstrual Leave' Weights of Loads Restricted Occupations Underground Work Conclusion Appendices: Summary of Decrees; Number and Percentage of Women Workers in Selected Industries, 1890-1926/7; Percentage of Women Employed in Selected Industries, 1890-1926/7; Employment of Women by National Economic Sector, 1929-35 Endnotes Glossary of Russian Terms and Abbreviations Bibliography Index

Melanie Ilic is Senior Lecturer in History and Women's Studies at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education.