Factory Acts - Labour of Children, Etc., in Factories Act 1833

Labour of Children, Etc., in Factories Act 1833

The Factory Act 1833 (3 & 4 Will. IV) c103 was an attempt to establish a regular working day in the textile industry. The act had the following provisions:

  • Children (ages 14–18) must not work more than 12 hours a day with an hour lunch break. Note that this enabled employers to run two 'shifts' of child labour each working day in order to employ their adult male workers for longer.
  • Children (ages 9–13) must not work more than 8 hours with an hour lunch break.
  • Children (ages 9–13) must have two hours of education per day.
  • Outlawed the employment of children under 9 in the textile industry.
  • Children under 18 must not work at night.
  • Provided for routine inspections of factories.

Read more about this topic:  Factory Acts

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