Workers' Militia

File:PPS-41 fortepan 87601.jpg submachine guns featuring a lightweight, fold-up shoulder strap made for the Hungarian People's Army. This basic weapon was used until the early 1970s.]]

The concept of "worker-guard" paramilitary organizations had already existed in the Eastern Bloc countries since the end of World War II, partly to circumvent peace treaties that limited the size of their regular armies, and partly to provide more actionable and politically reliable armed force at the disposal of the ruling communist party.

On 18 February 1957, the Soviet-backed Revolutionary Workers'-Peasants' Government led by János Kádár and the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP) ordered the formation of the Workers' Militia with the official aim to defend the means of production, months after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. It replaced the communist regime's special police force ({{lang|hu|karhatalom}} or also known as {{lang|hu|pufajkások}}, named after their Soviet-style quilted jackets). It was a voluntary service, open to both men and women, but obviously offered some privileges and career advantages. Workers' Militia units were subordinate to the local police, but membership was handled by MSZMP committees. Personnel wore distinctive slate gray fatigues and "Lenin cap," and armed with spare weapons sourced from the Hungarian People's Army. At first they were given handguns, but they were later armed with Soviet PPSh-41 submachine guns, which they were allowed to keep at home and would be prominently featured on the organisation's insignia. Starting with 20,000 members, it gradually developed into a large armed force, reaching 60,000 in 1988.

The commanders of the organization were:

• Lajos Halas (1957–1962)
• Árpád Papp (1962–1970)
• Sándor Borbély (1970–1989)

The Workers' Militia was never deployed but served as a visible deterrent to opponents of the "soft dictatorship" of Kádár and the MSZMP, both real and perceived. Guards were visible at most public events organised by the state, either providing security for the party or as attendees in large groups. The organisation was largely unpopular with the Hungarian public, and even distrusted by the MSZMP's leadership to the point that its personnel were initially equipped with weapons but no ammunition. Day-to-day activities of the Workers' Militia mainly consisted of civil work such as building flood defences and enforcing cordon sanitaires.

On 8 May 1985, the Central Committee of the MSZMP relinquished its direct control of the Workers' Militia, and on June 15, a Council of Ministers took over the supervision and controla. The Workers' Militia retained its paramilitary focus until the change of the communist regime in Hungary at the end of 1989.{{cite web |last=Ólmosi |first=Zoltán |title=Tervek kapuzárás előtt - A Munkásőrség, mint Népőrség? Eskü a Szent Koronára? |language=hu |trans-title=Plans before closing the gates - The Workers' Guard as People's Guard? Oath to the Holy Crown? |url=https://www.archivnet.hu/hadtortenet/tervek_kapuzaras_elott.html |date=2009}}

On 26 November 1989, a referendum was held with the question: "Should the Workers' Militia be disbanded?". The answer was an overwhelming Yes (94.9%), a result which confirmed the previously adopted law (1989 XXXth).

• Eastern Bloc politics

Similar formations:

• People's Militias
• Combat Groups of the Working Class
• ORMO
• Patriotic Guards
• Worker-Peasant Red Guards

{{Reflist}}

Category:1957 establishments in Hungary

Category:1989 disestablishments in Hungary

Category:Communism in Hungary

Category:Paramilitary organisations based in Hungary

Category:Government paramilitary forces

Category:Hungarian People's Republic

Category:Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Category:Law enforcement in communist states

Category:Military wings of communist parties

{{Authority control}}