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
Jo-AnneRamplings 