Worker Control in Portugal: The Revolution and Today

During the Portuguese revolution of 1974-1975 many production and service firms came under worker control. The movement for worker control in enterprises, though part of a larger movement for self-determination in other institutions, was inspired less by ideology than by the need to preserve employment in the face of economic crisis, capital flight, and owners' refusal to meet contractual obligations. Despite adverse circumstances during the revolution and neglect by subsequent conservative governments, these firms have achieved real worker control: though they generally maintain traditional work organization, they have taken steps toward hierarchical and income equality and, by mobilizing workers' commitment to their firms and to each other, salvaged foundering enterprises and usually increased production and employment. Since maintaining employment is their primary goal, the economic logic which governs them is different from that in capitalist firms. The place of worker control in revolution and socialist transition is discussed.