1.3.4.3 Emloyment Effects
Agrarian reform measures will result, all in all, in a slight
increase in employment. The small size of the farms is generally
accompanied by an intensification in cropping, an increase
in animal husbandry, and an increase in the input of labour,
especially manual labour. There will also possibly be an increase
in trade, transportation, and services as a result of the
rise in purchasing power. If the specific groups are studied
separately, significant differences are found. First and foremost,
there would be mainly more work for those who are already
employed in other words, a decrease in underemployment. Breaking
up large farms can, however, result in farm workers becoming
unemployed. Likewise, tenants may lose their land if the owners
start cultivating the remaining land they are allowed to keep,
particularly if mechanization is introduced or increased at
the same time. Some of the laid off workers and tenants will
find employment again, even in better occupations, e. g.,
tractor drivers, pump attendants.
The transition to family farms brings with it more evenly
distributed work that has to be done over the entire year
as a result of more variety in cropping. It means, as well,
more work for family members, especially women. The greatest
effects on labour can be achieved through collectivization,
and this particularly in the case that collectivization is
not limited to the agricultural sector. For then,namely, the
organizational preconditions are supplied for making use of
the labour force in order to build up capital.
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