I
Industrial Organization in Istkalen
Industrial organization in Istkalen closely follows the organization of society. The country is highly decentralized in this respect, particularly because of land reforms conducted in the late 1700s and the early 1900s which distributed land previously owned by the state, or rather the Emperor, to individual peasants.
Workers are organized first into "labor partnerships," or "partnerships of labor," composed of two individuals. In the context of industrial organization, the two members of a "labor partnership" are effectively one; they are contracted or find work as a partnership, not as individuals, are expected to make decisions as a group rather than as individuals, and are expected to produce as a single unit rather than two.
"Labor partnerships" are directly organized into "companies," mutual-aid groups organized on vocational lines "Companies" demand certain tasks to be accomplished by their members for its own benefit. Twice monthly, the membership of a 'company' will gather as an assembly to determine the tasks that must be accomplished, in order to produce goods and income that will be distributed. This is enforced by an "elder" or "head," who is elected by the membership of the "company" twice or once yearly.
Some of these tasks require collective work. This is usually organized through informal "collectives," managed by an "elder" or "head" who may or may not be elected. "Collectives" correspond usually to workplaces, although not necessarily. Large collectives are further divided into "work-groups," composed of about 5-15 "labor partnerships" and assigned specialized tasks by the elder of the collective. "Work-groups" rarely have a defined leader, instead making decisions by means of direct democracy; however, some instances of them, particularly, in larger work-groups, have appeared in which they do have an "elder" or "head" of their own.
In light and heavy industry, as well as the professions, it is "collectives" that are organized into "companies," and the heads of the "collectives" that determine the tasks that must be accomplished, not by the individual workers but by the "collectives," as well as elect the "elder" or "head" of the company. However, in certain collectives, the "elder" or "head" is not elected.
"Companies" are organized into "people's syndicates," organized on sectoral lines. "People's syndicates" ensure that "companies" are performing tasks for broader society rather than merely for their own members; they are governed by 'producers' committees,' which are elected indirectly and consist of five "labor partnerships." In particular, they will assign "social tasks" to the "companies" - for example, textile workers may be directed to produce clothing for a set cost, and construction workers to work to construct public works. If a "company" fails to carry out its tasks, its leadership may be replaced by the "producers' committee." It may, in certain cases, be dissolved temporarily, depriving its members of income.
"People's syndicates" are organized into "Congresses of Producers," which serve merely to coordinate their work and ensure that they are working in the general societal interest.
