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101
INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN.
On 6th November last, a Conference was held at the Home Office to
consider the question of further regulation of Industrial Employment of
Women before and after child-birth.
At the present time no woman is allowed to be employed in a factory or
workshop within four weeks after she has given birth to a child.
The Conference on Infantile Mortality advocated :—
(1) The extension of this period from one month to three ; and
(2) The prohibition of the employment of women advanced in
pregnancy, unless medically certified to be fit for work.
Before introducing such legislation the Home Secretary is anxious to be
sure of his ground and to be satisfied that there is sufficient justification for
imposing further restriction. He has, therefore, asked the Sanitary Authorities
throughout the country to undertake an exhaustive enquiry into the
whole subject, and to furnish returns which could be summarised and
considered by the Home Office.
The Sanitary Committee has agreed to make the proposed investigation,
which is to extend over a period of two years.
A supply of forms of enquiry have been received from the Home Office
dealing with the questions of :—
(1) Precise occupation of mothers during pregnancy.
(2) How long ceased from work before birth of child.
(3) How soon employed after confinement.
(4) If the work carried on was in a factory, workshop, at home, or
elsewhere.
(5) Nature of the work—(1) laborious, or (2) light.
(6) Feeding of the child.
(7) Weekly earnings of the husband.
(8) Income of family.
And several other minor details.
These forms when filled up with the necessary particulars are returned to
the Home Office.
The earlier notification of births will greatly facilitate this enquiry, as
immediate information will now reach the Medical Officer of Health, and the
information will extend to still-births as well as live births.