London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1909
Fifty-fourth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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281
[1909
These figures represent the total number of the two half-yearly returns, viz., those
made in February and August, in compliance with Sec. 107 Factories and Workshops Act,
1901.
The number of Outworkers residing in the Borough at the end of the year 1909
was 1,850, an increase of 19 over the corresponding period for 1908, but the number of
outworkers notified by the employers in the borough is less. There is also an increase of 176
in the total number notified, which in 1908 was 4,978.
Thirty cases of infectious disease occurred on premises where work is done. In all
these disinfection was duly carried out, and the patient removed to hospital where necessary
under the supervision of the District Inspector. It should be noted that in some
instances the illness did not occur in the rooms actually occupied by the outworker, but
in another part of the house, due precaution in reference to the work and workers, however,
being obligatory under the Act.
The number of persons engaged in the trades scheduled are shown below.—
| Making, repairing, etc. of wearing apparel | 4,642 |
| Artificial flower making | 185 |
| Furniture and upholstery | 8 |
| Paper bags and boxes | 199 |
| Brush making | 89 |
| Stuffed toys | 7 |
| Electro plate | 6 |
| Umbrellas | 10 |
| Chain making | 8 |
| 5,154 |
I have mentioned in my previous reports that the general conditions under which
homework is carried on in Islington are fairly satisfactory; and out of 1,207 inspections
made during the year, only 6 per cent, of the premises inspected were unsatisfactory
because of unwholesome, viz., dirty or crowded conditions. 119 statutory defects were
found, and 66 notices served to remedy thean; they are detailed in the schedule of nuisances
found and remedied, shown previously in this report.
Unfortunately, the rates of wages paid for homework are not equally satisfactory,
and many of the workers, especially the single women, have a hard struggle to maintain
the appearance of respectability, which is often kept up at the cost of bitter privation.
The Trades Board Act, 1909, should bring about a better condition of affairs for the
homeworkers, but before closing my report on this branch of the work done, it appears
necessary to add a word as to the work of the Homeworkers' Aid Association, which has
been one of the prime factors in the establishment of the Trades Boards, and has also
been of incalculable benefit to the homeworkers themselves individually.
A scheme attached to the Association gives a week's holiday, or at least a day
in the country, to the members; and whenever a case of dire necessity has been reported
to the Secretary by your Inspector, pecuniary assistance has always been forthcoming.