The 1864 Factory Act extended the regulations to factories other than textiles and coal mines.ĭuring the early years of the 20th century, trade unions and reformers continued to draw attention to the social and health costs of long hours and the economic value of leisure. Over the next few years, there were further pieces of legislation, which by 1847 limited working hours for all children under 18 and for women working in the textile industry to 10 hours a day. The industries not covered included iron and coal mines, gas works, shipyards, construction, match factories, nail factories, and the business of chimney sweeping. However, only four inspectors were expected to cover all of England, and this law only applied to the textile industry. Some made their escape, fearing no doubt, by past experience, the consequences of being produced as evidence, but he got the names and addresses of several.” Soon afterwards the lights appeared in the windows, and on entering the mill, a little after half-past five, he found the machinery in full operation, with young persons and women at work. Jones, determined that so gross a violation of the law should, if possible, be checked, took very effective steps to ascertain the correctness of the charges, by going in the night by a circuitous route, accompanied by police officers, and arriving in the neighbourhood of the mill at five in the morning. Bracewell's mill to begin work, with young persons and women, at half-past five in the morning but he was told at the same time that his coming by the usual road to Colne would be of no use, because arrangements had been made by which information was given as soon as an Inspector appeared within some miles of the factory. Jones, on which he could perfectly rely, that it was the regular practice in Mr. Government factory inspectors were appointed to enforce the law.Įxtract from the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories, 1851: “Information was last winter given to Mr. In 1833, the Factory Act banned children under 9 from working in the textile industry, and the working hours of 10-13 year olds was limited to 48 hours a week, while 14-18 year olds were limited to 69 hours a week, and 12 hours a day. The limits set by the regulations were not necessarily followed in the short term, however, legal reforms did have an impact on workers’ conditions over a period of time. Over the next decades, there were further pieces of legislation restricting the working hours of children. However, this legislation was largely ineffective, as there were no mechanisms in place for inspecting factories and punishing factory owners who flouted the law. Their campaigns resulted in the passage of legislation in 18 regulating the working hours of children in workhouses and textile factories to 12 hours a day. Reformers took up the issue of the working hours from the end of the 18th century onwards. Even children worked long hours in the textile factories, mines and as domestic helps in houses of the wealthy. These long hours were enforced by factory owners keen to maximize their profits. Factory owners were reluctant to leave their machinery idle, and in the 19th century, it was common for working hours to be between 14-16 hours a day, 6 days a week. With the industrial revolution, work ceased to be seasonal and limited by daylight hours, as it had in the past. History of the struggle to limit working hours Limitations and directions for the future.The law on working hours in the UK (2013).History of the struggle to limit working hours.The maximum numbers of working hours a week is regulated by law in many countries, and this sometimes stipulates daily rest periods, and the rest period between each day of work. Time spent doing unpaid work such as housework or caring for children is not considered part of working hours. Working hours is the period of time that an individual spends at paid work.

Minimum work hours per day