asked 34.9k views
4 votes
English Factory Act of 1838 - what is it and who does it impact?

asked
User Vlatko
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Step-by-step explanation:

The English Factory Act of 1833, also known as the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act, was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to improve the working conditions of children employed in textile factories in England. It was amended in 1834, 1844, and 1847 to expand its coverage and strengthen its provisions.

The act was the first legislation to regulate the employment of children in factories, and it established a framework of regulations that became a model for subsequent labor laws. The act set limits on the working hours of children and young persons, specified minimum age limits for employment, and required that children be given some education during their working hours.

The act impacted textile factory owners who employed children and young persons, and it aimed to protect the health and well-being of those young workers. The act prohibited the employment of children under nine years of age and restricted the working hours of children aged nine to thirteen to a maximum of nine hours a day. Children aged thirteen to eighteen could work for a maximum of 12 hours a day. The act also required factory owners to provide basic education to child workers during their working hours, and to ensure that machinery was properly safeguarded to prevent accidents.

The Factory Act of 1833 marked an important step in the history of labor laws and helped to improve the working conditions and welfare of child laborers in England. It inspired similar legislation in other countries and contributed to the broader movement for social and labor reform in the 19th century.

answered
User Long Quanzheng
by
8.3k points
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.