4.3 - Employment and living standards

Reducing Unemployment — Nazi Methods

1933: 4.8 million unemployed → 1939: 0.3 million. Methods: RAD (National Labour Service) — public works like road-building, compulsory from 1935. Autobahns — 125,000 men employed building motorways. Rearmament — army grew from 100,000 to 1.36 million; arms industry boomed.

"Invisible Unemployment"

The real unemployment figures were hidden. Women and Jews forced out of work weren't counted. Men in Labour Service, prison, or concentration camps weren't counted. Part-time workers counted as fully employed. Real unemployment was around 1.5 million higher than official figures suggested.

Changes in Living Standards

Wages rose 20% by 1939 BUT working week grew from 43 to 49 hours, and food prices rose 20% — so real wages barely improved. Car ownership trebled. High-skilled workers benefited most; unskilled workers and Jews did not. Overall: mixed picture.

DAF, KdF and SdA

DAF (Labour Front): replaced trade unions, set minimum wages and working week, but workers lost right to strike or negotiate. KdF (Strength through Joy): leisure activities — theatre, sports, holidays, cruises — 35 million members by 1936. Volkswagen scheme — workers saved 5 marks/week for a car; none ever received one. SdA (Beauty of Labour): improved factory facilities like canteens and changing rooms.