During the early period of industrial development, efforts towards workers' welfare were made largely by social workers, philanthropists and other religious leaders, mostly on humanitarian grounds. Before the introduction of welfare and other legislation in India, the conditions of labour were miserable. Exploitation of child labour, long hours of work, bad sanitation, absence of safety measures, etc., were the regular features of the factory life.
The earliest legislative approach could be tracked back to the passing of the Apprentices Act of 1850. This Act was enacted with the objective of helping poor and orphaned children to learn various trades and crafts. The next Act was the Fatal Accidents Act of 1853 which aimed at providing compensation to the families of workmen who lost their life as a result of "actionable wrong". Earlier attempts at legislation in this country were mainly aimed at regulation of employment.
The movement to improve the working conditions of Indian labour started with the passing of the first Indian Factories Act in 1881. The deplorable conditions in which labour worked in the textile mills in Bombay during those days, as testified by the factory commission of 1875 was the immediate cause for the passing of the Act. Adult labour, however, was not protected in any manner.
It was found inadequate in many respects. Any how, it recognized the right of the government to safeguard the interests of the workers by means of a suitable legislation. Therefore, the Mulock Commission was appointed by the Government of Bombay in 1884 to review the working of the Factories Act of 1881.
The Factories (Amendment) Act 1891 applied to all factories employing 50 persons or more. Provisions relating to better ventilation, cleanliness and for preventing over- crowding in factories were also made. The hours of work for children were reduced to six per day. Employment of women between 7.00 pm and 5.00 am was prohibited. Women were allowed to work for eleven hours in day with one and a half hours rest.
Certain provisions were also made for the health and safety of the Industrial workers. a The outbreak of First World War in 1914 let to a number of new developments. During the war years (1914 to 1918) the number of factories and the number of persons employed wherein increased. Wages did not keep pace with the rising prices and profits.
The establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919 was another important land mark in the history of Labour Welfare Movement in our Country. The formation of AITUC (1920), the first central trade union organization in our country, also helped in furthering the cause of welfare movement.
Another milestone in the field of labour welfare was reached with the appointment of Labour Investigation Committee (Rege Committee) in 1944. The committee was asked to investigate problems relating to wages and earnings, employment, housing and social conditions of workers.
It covered different areas in labour welfare such as housing policy, rest and recreation, occupational diseases, relief in the case of old age and death, crushes, canteens, medical aid, washing and bathing facilities, educational facilities, etc. For the first time in India, this committee highlighted the importance of welfare measures for workers in improving their social and economic life.
What was the number of working hours for children in Indian factories prior to the implementation of the Factories (Amendment) Act, 1891?
