Seasonal Workers

(seasonal employees), according to Soviet law, persons engaged for work which, owing to natural and climatic conditions, is performed not year-round but during a period (season) not exceeding six months. Seasonal workers are covered by the general labor legislation, with certain exceptions established by the Decree of Sept. 24, 1974, of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (Vedomosti Verkh. Soveta SSSR, 1974, no. 40, art. 661). For example, seasonal workers have the right to abrogate a labor contract, after giving the management three days’ written notice. The management may take the initiative in dismissing seasonal workers not only on the usual grounds but also in case of work stoppages of more than two weeks for production-related reasons and in case of failure to report to work for more than one month, owing to temporary disability. Seasonal workers receive severance pay equal to a week’s average earnings, and if they are inducted into the military service, two weeks’ average earnings. They do not have the right to take a vacation or to receive monetary compensation instead.

The legislation provides for instances in which a seasonal worker’s service at a particular enterprise or institution may be added up and considered unbroken, if the individual has worked the entire season, has concluded a labor contract for the following season, and has returned to work at the established time. The interseasonal break is not included in computations of continuous employment. In some instances, work during the entire season is included in the length of employment, entitling the worker to a pension for the year of work, (This is the case for water-transport workers.) Special regulations cover the working conditions of seasonal workers in the lumber industry and forestry.