Abstract

As a result of the shortage of male workers and the poor state of the economy, women worked in areas previously reserved for men, even after 1945. Control Council Law No. 32 acknowledged this situation and authorized the employment of women in reconstruction work. “Rubble women” removed debris from destroyed German cities.

Control Council Law No. 32 on the Employment of Women in Building and Reconstruction Work (July 10, 1946)

Source

In view of the shortage of able-bodied men in certain parts of Germany, the Control Council enacts as follows:

Article I

The appropriate German authorities may employ, or authorize the employment of female labor in building and reconstruction work, including rubble clearance.

Article II

The provisions of the Ordinance concerning working hours (Arbeitszeitordnung) of 30th April 1938 (RGBl. 1938, I/447) and all enactments inconsistent with this law are repealed or amended in accordance with this law.

Article III

This law shall come into force on the date of publication.

V. Sokolovsky, Marshal of the Soviet Union

Joseph T. McNarney, General

Sholto Douglas, Marshal of Royal Air Force

P. Koenig, General d’Armee

Source: http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/Enactments/law-index.pdf

Recommended Citation

Control Council Law No. 32 on the Employment of Women in Building and Reconstruction Work (July 10, 1946), published in: German History in Documents and Images, <https://germanhistorydocs.org/en/occupation-and-the-emergence-of-two-states-1945-1961/ghdi:document-4479> [December 20, 2024].