Factory Girls and 'Sweaters'

'The Factory Girls of Melbourne'

Many women found factory work more attractive than domestic labour. The pay was better, and young women had greater independence. Nevertheless, hours and conditions were often so awful that in 1873 the Victorian government passed regulations to improve working conditions. The legislation gave female factory workers the Eight Hour Day and was intended for 'the benefit of those who cannot defend or protect themselves'. Mr Patterson, a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly, explained his view.

I have taken pains to inquire how it is that so many girls prefer working in factories to domestic service. In the first place, they say that it is a more independent life, and that they are able, after the day's work is done, to go home to their families, and have their time to themselves. They also state that many of them are able to make considerable higher wages - as much as from £1 to 30s., and, in some instances, as high as 32s. per week. They likewise consider domestic service in this country a kind of perpetual bondage, and they believe that there are many persons in the community who do not know how to treat their servants rightly. I consider that these are sound and substantial reasons - just the kind of reasons which would actuate men in preferring one kind of employment to another.

In the late 19th century, as today, many women, mainly in the clothing industry, worked from home, paid by the number of pieces they completed. 'Sweating' or 'outwork' became an important public issue, because of the harsh conditions under which these women worked. The Victorian Anti-Sweating League, made up of trade unionists, churchmen and liberal politicians, campaigned to have the practice abolished.

'A Sweaters' Workroom in Melbourne'

While women's work in factories was regulated from 1873, sweating remained a common way for employers to get around the restrictions, especially in the clothing and footwear industries. A factory inspector outlined the reasons he supposed women took on outwork:

It must be remembered that by working at home a woman has no limit to the number of hours she may work; she has also the opportunity of help from her mother (who could not leave home and go into the factory) and younger sisters (who are too young to be allowed to go to work); so that although she may have worked considerable more than 48 hours in the week, she may, on the other hand, have been able to take a holiday, and at the same time be able to show as much money earned as if she had been going to the factory regularly, and had to conform to rules etc. which are oftentimes irksome to her.