Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Working, during the Industrial Revolution was very harsh and dangerous. For example, “the working class had little or no bargaining power with new employees”. The population in Great Britain was increasing “at the same time that landowners were enclosing common village lands, people from the countryside flocked to the towns and the new factories to get work”. With the population increase, the unemployment rate increased. Many new factory owners were able to set the “terms of work because there were far more unskilled laborers, who had few skills and would take any job, than there were jobs for them”. The textile industries”. In the end of the 18th century, “there were initially no laws to regulate them. The migrants coming to the new industrial towns could not bargain to demand higher wages, fairer work hours, better working conditions. “since only wealthy people in Great Britain were eligible to vote, workers could not use the democratic political system to fight for rights and reforms”. Later the British Parliament passed the Combination Act, making it illegal for workers unionize as a group to ask for better working conditions. “Laborers worked 10 to 14 hours a day, six days a week, with no paid vacation or holidays”. “Each industry had safety hazards” resulting in many accidents on the job. If a worker gets injured they typically lose their jobs and do not get paid for their health care even if it is much needed. Employees were not able to return to their “village during harvest time to help their families”. “A few workers were able to improve their lot by going into business for themselves or winning a job as a supervisor”.
workingcondition.docx |
Working and Living Conditions
The working conditions during the Industrial Revolution were terrible. For example, “as factories were being built, businesses were in need of workers”. Employers could set the wages as they low as they wanted to because people were desperate for work. “People worked fourteen to sixteen hours a day for six days a week”. The workers did not make much money. Skilled workers approximately made 10 cents per hour while skilled worker made a little more. “Women received one-third or sometimes one-half the pay that men received. Children received even less”. Owners were only wanted to make a profit were satisfied because labor costed less. Factories were one of the worst places to work at. There was not very much light and the machine spit out smoke. “Workers came out covered in black soot by the end of the day”. There were many accidents that happened because of the machines. “The workers only received a break for lunch and a break for dinner”. The children that worked, were paid less than the woman. The children were given the jobs that were harder for adults like working in the mines.
workingandlivingconditions.docx |