## STATEMENT AT A SESSION OF THE PRESIDIUM
OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY
ON THE QUESTION OF LABOR OBLIGATION¹
27 March 1918

It is impossible to introduce labor discipline by decree. Preparatory work is necessary. The norms of labor discipline must be entrusted for elaboration to practical men, while their implementation in practice should be transferred to the trade unions. The trade unions themselves can scarcely work out the norms.

Perhaps it is necessary to have groups of the best* controllers not from the given trade, since the trade unions will inevitably proceed from the interests of their particular trade. As regards measures to combat violations of labor discipline, mere dismissal without warning is insufficient; a whole series of measures is necessary—these measures should be discussed with practical men, engineers, and foremen.

For the implementation of labor obligation, which we shall apply to the wealthy, it is necessary to work out a form of labor book for each wealthy person.

Published according to the typewritten text of the protocol record

* Thus in the document. Apparently should read "mobile" (see V. I. Lenin, Complete Collected Works, vol. 35, p. 188, 428).

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