There were political differences, though. At least in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic where I grew up.
First of all, there were some collectively owned enterprises (cooperatives), which were a tiny bit more independent than directly state owned business. They could deviate a little from the strict, centrally directed price and wage norms etc.
Second, even in the state owned sector, there was some diversity among political attitudes. Some directors were more pragmatic and would be willing to employ even people whose cadre record was tainted (e.g. a relative defected to the West). Some directors were hardcore Communists who would never tolerate suspicious or politically unreliable characters in their workforce.
Finding a job if you were deemed politically unreliable was a big deal, because being jobless for a certain period of time was a crime punishable by prison. (Parasitism.)
First of all, there were some collectively owned enterprises (cooperatives), which were a tiny bit more independent than directly state owned business. They could deviate a little from the strict, centrally directed price and wage norms etc.
Second, even in the state owned sector, there was some diversity among political attitudes. Some directors were more pragmatic and would be willing to employ even people whose cadre record was tainted (e.g. a relative defected to the West). Some directors were hardcore Communists who would never tolerate suspicious or politically unreliable characters in their workforce.
Finding a job if you were deemed politically unreliable was a big deal, because being jobless for a certain period of time was a crime punishable by prison. (Parasitism.)