ABSTRACT
Employment in the Polish maritime sector was always a central concern and the whole communist system focused on matching the number of employees available with the number of jobs. Unemployment was negligible and officially zero as the planned system allowed for the training of exactly the number of persons with each skill required and the manipulation of the economy so that no shortfall or excess would exist. In fact, considerable under-employment always existed in that seafarers might be in reserve, would certainly be employed in too greater number on board ship, and on shore, there would be little work for many individuals to do. The whole system, in all industries, was one of false full employment and as such was one of the principle characteristics (and claimed achievements) of the communist system. Much of what is discussed below must be seen in that light.
