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Good morning all, it is Thursday here in my part of the world, here we are at another post about working life in the 1890's.
After a campaign was run by newspaper proprietor David Syme, in the “Age” a Victorian newspaper. The Victorian government under Alfred Deakin appointed a Shops Commission to report on how the Factory Act was functioning.
The commission found unacceptable conditions in small workshops and in the homework system. This resulted in the 1885 Factories and Shops Act, which provided for compulsory registration and inspection of all factories.
The Act also required the safety fencing of machinery and the provision of proper sanitation and ventilation.
Employment of boys under 12 and girls under 13 was forbidden, shops had to close by 10pm on Saturdays and 7pm on other weekdays. This Act applied to all workplaces where at least 6 people were working but it didn't prohibit homework.
Improvements in working conditions were also won in the mining industry, a Mines Regulation Act was passed in 1873 and in 1877 Victorian goldminers won an eight-hour day for underground workers. This and other improvements were ratified in amending Mines Act in 1883 and 1886.
In NSW coalminers won inspection for safety as early as 1862 with the Collieries Regulation Act, with subsequent acts amended to the advantage of the workers. Adult workers had a 10 hour work day and workers aged 13 to 18 a 9 hour day, Monday to Friday.
More to come next week
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I am always amazed by the work conditions of not much more than a hundred years ago. Here, too! I am glad conditions have improved. So glad. Even though there are still countries where they are pretty bad, on the whole life has improved for the working class. :)
ReplyDeleteYes things have improved a lot over time, I am glad I do not live back in those dark old days
DeleteWhat would we do today without safety regulations and a respect for the amount of time each worker could safely do his or her job during the day? Good history, Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteMost of us take safety regulations for granted but don't realise how hard some had to fight to get them
DeleteVERY interesting Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteSO grateful to live in the 21st century : ) Not sure I'd have survived earlier times. Hope you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteI just thank God we got enough sense to enact rules like these...
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteIt's absolutely necessary, especially for safety, that workers be protected.
ReplyDeleteThat's for sure
DeleteIt is good that many rules were put in place especially those related to safety.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true
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