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OUTWORK
Outworkers (Section 133 (1) (c))
Twice yearly , February and August, the Factories Act, 1961, requires
all employers of outworkers in the Borough to forward to the Local Authority a list
giving the names and addresses of all persons employed by them in homework during
the previous six months.
Of the 372 names of outworkers which appeared on the employers
lists received in August, 107 were given as residing within the Borough; in addition,
94 names of outworkers residing in Bethnal Green were forwarded from other Councils.
The outworkers notified by Bethnal Green employers are drawn from a
very large area; many live in outer London districts, e.g. Bexley, Caterham,
Uxbridge, Barnet, Hornchurch, while some are resident in such distant places as
Bath, Birmingham, Chard, Glasgow, Spalding and Bury-St.Edmunds. The
outworkers resident in Bethnal Green, notified by other boroughs were, with but
one exception, employed by firms in Metropolitan Boroughs north of the Thames.
Number of Outworkers in August
lists required by Section 133(1)(c)
Wearing apparel (making etc.) 117
Curtains and furniture hangings 21
Brushes 2
Boxes 48
Lampshades 4
Christmas Crackers etc. 7
Artificial Flowers, Umbrellas 2
201
Section 133. There was no case of default in sending lists to the Council.
Section 134. There was no instance of work being carried on in unwholesome
premises.
Shops Acts
The Borough Council has power to require, in any shop in which persons
are employed, suitable and sufficient lighting, washing facilities and facilities for the
taking of meals and is responsible for ventilation and temperature of shops and sanitary
conveniences attached thereto. During the year 323 visits were made to shops and 46
notices were served in respect of unsatisfactory conditions found to exist.