重慶国民政府期における技能工の兵役猶予について

Abstract

With the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, the Nationalist Government was forced to relocate numerous enterprises from the southeastern coastal regions to the southwestern “Great Rear” region (大後方), with Chongqing as its center. This shift also marked a relocation of the country's economic center. To ensure a steady supply of military goods, the government prioritized restructuring the economy, transitioning from light industry to a more militarized one. Concurrently, the military system evolved from a dual system of mercenaries and conscripts into a fully conscription-based structure, drafting large numbers of able-bodied men to address the manpower shortages caused by the prolonged war. However, skilled laborers (技能工) (as well as semi-skilled workers) were difficult to replace due to the specialized technical skills and experience required for their roles. This led to a severe shortage of skilled laborers in the “Great Rear, ” disrupting the labor market. In response, the Nationalist Government implemented a military service deferment policy for skilled laborers, allowing those engaged in war-related production to temporarily avoid conscription. This policy aimed to strike a balance between the demands of industrial production and the needs of military mobilization, ultimately stabilizing the labor supply. Drawing on archives, newspapers, and other sources from Chongqing and surrounding areas, this paper investigates how military service deferment for skilled laborers became institutionalized under the dual pressures of economic production and military manpower needs, eventually becoming a distinct welfare measure for skilled laborers. The paper begins by examining the definition of “skilled laborer” and the specific circumstances of such workers in Chongqing during this period. Although definitions and evaluation criteria varied, the government generally used length of employment as the primary measure. Skilled laborers typically received better treatment than ordinary workers, though their compensation varied depending on factors such as years of service, skill level, and industry. Next, the paper explores how the government, in its efforts to balance military expansion with industrial production, gradually adjusted and institutionalized the deferment policy. This process unfolded in two phases : from 1938 to 1941, during the policy's early stages, it primarily applied to workers in state-owned enterprises. However, as wartime industrial production expanded, skilled laborers in some private enterprises were gradually included. After 1941, with the introduction of the “Interim Measures for Deferring Military Service of Skilled Laborers in the National Defensive Munitions Mining and Industry during Wartime” (戰時國防軍需工礦業技術員工緩服兵役暫行辦法) and other supporting policies, as well as refinements to the criteria for eligibility, review standards, and procedures, the deferment policy for skilled laborers became more firmly established. The policy also drew in some farmers, who sought to avoid conscription by transitioning into skilled labor roles, which in turn helped to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers. Nonetheless, the policy's implementation faced numerous challenges, including instances of forced conscription due to conflicts of interest and unclear responsibilities between enterprises, police departments, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Despite these difficulties, Military Service Deferment for skilled laborers played a crucial role in supporting China's wartime industrial production and national defense efforts during this historical period.