POLISH WORKERS DURING ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION - STABILITY AND CHANGE,1984-94

Based on a detailed survey of 600 households, the authors examine the impact of transformation to a market economy on workers and retirees. Their analysis of disaggregated data shows a surprising degree of job stability. For example, the proportion of workers changing from public - to private-sector employment was relatively small; those who did wer e not necessarily younger or those with the highest levels of educatio n; the assumption of higher earnings in the private sector was only fo und true of urban areas. Though subsequent changes have been more sign ificant, this study is revealing of the micro-level dynamics of transf ormation.