UPSC Prelims 2017 – Question 24

Q24. Consider the following statements:

1. The Factories Act, of 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and allow the workers to form trade unions.
2. N.M Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labor movement in British India

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

The correct answer is 2 only. 

The Factory Act of 1881: 

• It was adopted in 1881 by Lord Ripon. 
• In 1885, a Factory Commission was formed. 
• The 1881 Act aimed to improve labour working conditions. 
• It also prohibited hiring children under the age of seven. 
• The most important decision was to limit the number of working hours for children under the age of twelve. 
• The Factory Act of 1881 required one hour of rest during the working day and required that dangerous machinery be properly fenced, but it made no mention of the formation of trade unions. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect. 
• N.M. Lokhande was a forerunner in organising the British Indian labour movement. He worked for the working conditions of textile mills and also for the caste and communal issues. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 

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