AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ECONOMIC MECHANISM Another issue! At the enterprise, absences in the fight against workers’ late arrivals and delays are reaching alarming proportions. Up to 104 absences per month have been recorded, amounting to 823 hours. This has become a general pattern for the majority of workers. Thus, for two masonry teams of 12 members each, their absences have reached as much as 172 hours. This phenomenon, despite the measures taken, is not stopping. Some of these absences are being justified by all kinds of reasons, since there is a lack of full control and responsibility. The new economic mechanism was introduced with the aim of increasing each worker’s responsibility for work results. Yet, as can be seen, in practice unjustified absences are harming not only the pace of work, but also the overall atmosphere in the collective. There are cases when entire brigades fail to meet the monthly plan precisely because of absences and delays. It is said in the enterprise that disciplinary measures have been taken, but they have not always been the same for everyone. This has caused dissatisfaction and has created the belief that absenteeism can be easily overlooked. In some cases there was only a verbal warning, while in others part of personal income was withheld. Workers and specialists of this enterprise stress that the fight against absences must be closely linked to work organization, discipline, daily control, and the responsibility of sector managers. Without this, the new economic mechanism cannot deliver the expected results.

One of the ways to increase workers’ interest in higher production results is the system of bonuses. In cooperatives and agricultural enterprises, the aim is for exceeding the plan to be linked to concrete benefits for collectives and individuals. In some units, according to the data presented, bonuses have been used as an incentive to increase production, save materials, and improve the quality of work. They are helping workers show greater care in carrying out seasonal tasks, especially during harvesting and threshing. However, there is also a need for bonuses to be awarded fairly and on the basis of measurable results, avoiding leveling and subjectivism. Only in this way, the material says, will they become a real incentive for agricultural workers.

PHOTO CAPTION / PARTIALLY LEGIBLE TEXT: During a visit to the unit [?].

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, sent a telegram of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Colombia on the occasion of the country's national holiday.

Reportage

(ATSH)