The article describes goals and organizationial structure of the goverlinmelntal research program 'Humanizationi of Working Life' in the Federal Republic of Germany and discusses the problems of crisis after the initial five-year period: the problems faced by the program because of the economic crisis and because of its own efficiency. The political, economic and social backgrounid arid the interests of the state in establishing the humanization program are analyzed as well as thle demands and practical efforts of employers and trade unions in this field. The conclusion to the article makes some proposals as to how to conisolidate work humanization as an integral socio-political strategy.

This study sets out the political and economic background to the governmental activities which, in both countries and in conjunction with both entrepreneurs and trade unions, were brought into action during the 1970s to improve the organization of work. The problems that confront the representatives of the various interests as a result of these measures for the organization of work both at, and above, the level of the individual plant are discussed in detail: namely, the narrowness of the possibilities of exerting influence; the effects of increasing legislative regulation; the lack of competence in judging technological changes and their social effects; the ambivalence of corporate inclusion brought about by governmental measures. The lack of grass-roots democratic coupling of trade union work to the 'interests of the workers themselves, which is discernible in both countries has been remedied at least, formally in France. The employees' right of direct say concerning their working conditions, which was introduced by the Auroux Laws of 1982, offers the chance of a more participatory organization of work.