WORKING CONDITIONS AND FORCED LABOR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 25, 2013
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: October 6, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/25: CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1
INFORMATION REPORT INFORMATION REPORT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains informi9t4on affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Itspionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 704, thetransmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorised person is prohibited by law.
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COUNTRY Bagari a REPORT NO,
SUBJECT Working Conditions DATE DISTR,
mut Foresci labor
6 Ootobsr 1955
NO. OF PAOIS
3 50X1
DATE OF INFO.
REQUIREMENT NO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
REFERENCES
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DATE ACQUIRED
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D FINITIVI. PPA
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(Natal Washington dis "X"; Field distribution by "*".)
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/25: CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/25: CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1
CONFIDENTIAL
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SUEDECT Working Conditions and Forced Labor
DATE OF INFORMATION
PLACE ACQUIRED
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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REPORT
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DATE DISTR. 14 Sept. 1955
NO. OF PAGES 2
REFERENCES: 50X1
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1. Every working person in Bulgaria, regardless-of where he worked, was
required to carry a work book (trudova knizhka). Until 1953) it was
extremely difficult to change jobs; the individual had to give 15 to 30
days' advance notice before he could be released from the job he then
held. However, since 1953, transferring jobb has been easier. Individuals
who studied at technical schoolswere required'to complete a period of
service in a ministry or state enterprise before taking jobs of their
own choice.
2. The number of independent Workers was very atili and that number was being
reduced each year on orders from the State whej wanted to completely
eliminate these independent- workers tit7Weil7ai-the. landowners and the
bUsinetemen; 11:den:MO-to operate indepandent-StilI:atores and shops were
given only to'inValids; LaWyers were oblited7to-join collectives which
took a-large part of their 'earbingiOind?PrOfeasional nurses had practically
disappeared. Although there were some personsindependently engaged in
transportation, they, too, Were required-toAdin-c011ectives. The' few
independent workers remaining still earned more than those employed by
government enterprises.
-3. Trade unions were unable to show initiative inprotecting the workers'
rights and were able to fight Only the unlawful measures against their
administrations. Union members Paid their dues very reluctantly, usually
Only when the union trustee Or treasurer actually demanded payment. Em-
ployees Of the trade unions were paid twice each month Members of the
trade unions received sick benefits.
4. Members of the ruling groups did not think they received sufficient
salaries. The lowest salary given a Bulgarian Armyofficer was 1,000 leva
per month. This amount was almost twice that ofthe salary of a physician.
Party members received higher salaries then-nOnPerty members but, in
spite of that, Party members felt their-iitIatiee'Were low. Therefore) in
many cases) their wives were forced to work to supplement the husbands'
CONFT.PylqmTAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/25: CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/25: CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1
CONFIDENTIAL
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salaries. For instance, the wife of the Minitter of Food Industries
worked for the Committee for Cultural Relatidns Abroad,while thv wife
of militia major Dafin Dafinov worked at home as a seamstress. 4
5. The productiveness of forced labor was lowj therefore, various means of
increasing production were used. When a fOrbed laborer was assigned to
a construction project, he was assigned a-5001Mb amount of ground,
measured in cubid meters, to be dug each 'day .?The regular work day for
forced laborers was 11 hours but this period of time included travel time
between his forced labor camp and his job.
6. Increases In productiveness from forced laborers were obtained by the
following means:
a. The work day was increased.
b. Arrest for non-completion of the torM and-being placed in a prison
Without doors or windows and forced to Sleep'On bare floor boards in
olOthing with no blanket' or OoVer. IfYsttoloter punishment Was
nooliisary, the prisOner was placed'in a cell with ankle-deep water
and was given only bread and water.
c. Being kept On the job until very late at 'flight *ith the same norm,
regardless of the type of ground to be dug, i.e., sand, very hard
ground, rook, or roots.
Being branded as a fascist or saboteur and threatened with further
proseoutiOh%
e. Given more food daily if the required.norm_was surpassed.
In spite of all the above enforced measures, productiveness remained lonxi
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/06/25: CIA-RDP82-00046R000500330009-1