1. Economic Disruptions: The aftermath of the war left economies in disarray. Many industries were devastated, leading to high unemployment rates. Governments focused on rebuilding and stabilizing economies, limiting their ability to address workers' demands.
2. Government Policies: Many governments passed conservative policies that favored businesses over workers. This resulted in the suppression of labor unions and labor rights, making it harder for workers to organize and negotiate for better wages and working conditions.
3. Divide-and-Conquer Tactics: Employers often used various strategies to divide workers and prevent them from forming strong unions. This could include hiring laborers from different ethnic groups or regions to create tension among workers.
4. Anti-Union Sentiment: Public sentiment in some societies turned against labor unions, viewing them as disruptive and responsible for economic problems. This led to legal restrictions and societal pressure on unions.
5. Employer Retaliation: Employers could retaliate against workers who participated in union activities, including termination of employment, wage reductions, or other forms of mistreatment.
6. Political Repression: In some cases, governments resorted to political repression to silence labor movements. Leaders might arrest union leaders, ban labor organizations, or deploy force against workers' demonstrations.
These factors combined to hinder the ability of workers to change their circumstances and improve their working conditions in the period after World War 1.