Consider the following statements:The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of

Question

Consider the following statements:The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.N. M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

The Factories Act, 1881 was enacted to improve the conditions of factory workers in towns. It prohibited the employment of children under the age of seven, limited working hours for children below twelve, and required dangerous machinery to be fenced properly. The Act also provided for one hour of rest during the working period and four days of leave per month for workers. Inspectors were appointed to ensure these measures were implemented. However, the Act did not include provisions for fixing wages or allowing the formation of trade unions.Narayan Meghaji Lokhande was a pioneer of the labor movement in India. He is remembered for improving the working conditions of textile mill workers in the 19th century and for his initiatives on caste and communal issues.Hence, statement 1 is incorrect, and statement 2 is correct. The correct answer is (b) 2 only.Source Citation:India's Struggle for Independence, Bipan Chandra: Chapter - The Indian Working Class and the National Movement