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Title: Welfare Matters for Children - MOT00356
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Title
Welfare Matters for Children - MOT00356
Description
Extract from "The Curse of the Factory System" by 'Honest John' Fielden, describing the child laboour situation in the 1830s.
Prior to the commencement of the 19th Century little thought had been given to the conditions under which factory workers were employed, whether they were children or adults.
By the early 1820s several attempts had been made to introduce legislation to improve conditions, by means of Factory Acts, but with only small benefits for the workers.
From his early days as the Oldham MP, Todmorden born 'Honest John' Fielden struggled to bring into force his Ten House Act, and succeeded in May 1847.
The Fielden family with their Quaker background were always benevolent employers and from the early 1800s provided a basic education for the children who were employed in their factories, and for whom there were no other chances for education.
By 1919 work hours were reduced to 48.
Gradually there was the introduction of 'Works' committees. Workers were able to voice their views and were listened to. The gulf between employers and employed narrowed.
In Todmorden, there had always been a paternal approach by the mill owners to his workforce, sons following fathers in the mill, boss or worker. During the Second World War, women did men's jobs and firms set up crèches and nurseries, canteens were established in many factories. These were also used by employees as social centres.
Nurses and Personnel Officers were appointed to help the workforce. This service attempted to help with any problem which might be facing an employee at work or at home.
Prior to the commencement of the 19th Century little thought had been given to the conditions under which factory workers were employed, whether they were children or adults.
By the early 1820s several attempts had been made to introduce legislation to improve conditions, by means of Factory Acts, but with only small benefits for the workers.
From his early days as the Oldham MP, Todmorden born 'Honest John' Fielden struggled to bring into force his Ten House Act, and succeeded in May 1847.
The Fielden family with their Quaker background were always benevolent employers and from the early 1800s provided a basic education for the children who were employed in their factories, and for whom there were no other chances for education.
By 1919 work hours were reduced to 48.
Gradually there was the introduction of 'Works' committees. Workers were able to voice their views and were listened to. The gulf between employers and employed narrowed.
In Todmorden, there had always been a paternal approach by the mill owners to his workforce, sons following fathers in the mill, boss or worker. During the Second World War, women did men's jobs and firms set up crèches and nurseries, canteens were established in many factories. These were also used by employees as social centres.
Nurses and Personnel Officers were appointed to help the workforce. This service attempted to help with any problem which might be facing an employee at work or at home.
Creator
Unknown
Source
Todmorden Information Centre Trust
Date
1910s
Rights
PHDA - Todmorden Information Centre Trust
Relation
Pennine Horizons Digital Archive
Identifier
MOT00356.tif
Collection
Citation
Unknown, “Welfare Matters for Children - MOT00356,” Pennine Horizons Digital Archive, accessed April 16, 2024, https://penninehorizons.org/items/show/10673.
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