Insurance of Workers in the Salt Fields of the Astrakhan Province in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

The article examines the relationships between salt producers and workers in the salt industry concerning insurance issues. Protecting the life and health of workers in the early 20th century was an intractable problem for Russian enterprises, and the number of accidents, caused by poor sanitary and technical conditions, was increasing. However, the owners did not pay due attention either to the improvement of sanitary and technical conditions or to occupational safety. The level of workers’ understanding of occupational safety remained very low. Using the comparative historical method, the authors were able to identify trends in the development of state policy on the “labour problem” in the salt fields of the Astrakhan Province. The study demonstrates that the legislation in the salt industry was the main lever regulating the relationships between salt producers and workers in matters of the working and living conditions of the latter. The mechanism of operation of certain articles of the law of June 2, 1903 in the salt industry is presented using concrete examples. In addition, the paper looks at compliance with the law of June 23, 1912 on insuring workers against accidents in the salt fields of the Astrakhan Province. The authors conclude that the insurance system of the Russian Empire, which took shape in the early 20th century, showed positive results. In compliance with the state legislation, in case of occupational accidents resulting in injury or death of workers, salt producers of the Astrakhan Province paid benefits and onetime remunerations to workers or their family members, which allowed those affected to receive medical treatment and maintain an acceptable standard of living.