Employment Ussr

The Soviet government, seeking a popular mandate to transform the country's socialist economy into one based on market forces, announced plans Wednesday for an unprecedented national referendum on sweeping reforms that it acknowledges will double or triple many consumer prices and could put tens of millions of people out of work. Yuri D.

President Mikhail S. Gorbachev on Sunday implored Soviets frightened by sharp price increases and other consequences of the impending shift to a market economy "not to give in to panic" and vowed that the Kremlin will act to safeguard their living standard.

President Mikhail S. Gorbachev on Sunday implored Soviets frightened by sharp price increases and other consequences of the impending shift to a market economy "not to give in to panic" and vowed that the Kremlin will act to safeguard their living standard.

The Soviet government, seeking a popular mandate to transform the country's socialist economy into one based on market forces, announced plans Wednesday for an unprecedented national referendum on sweeping reforms that it acknowledges will double or triple many consumer prices and could put tens of millions of people out of work. Yuri D.

The Soviet government published guidelines Tuesday for dealing with great numbers of workers expected to lose their jobs under the economic restructuring known as perestroika. None seem to offer much comfort for the millions of people who may be affected. The official press has published estimates that up to 17 million people may have to change jobs as part of the massive program advocated by Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev. Finding work for them will not be a familiar problem.

The Soviet government published guidelines Tuesday for dealing with great numbers of workers expected to lose their jobs under the economic restructuring known as perestroika. None seem to offer much comfort for the millions of people who may be affected. The official press has published estimates that up to 17 million people may have to change jobs as part of the massive program advocated by Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev. Finding work for them will not be a familiar problem.