London, July 1.
The stark tragedy of industrial conditions in India where, owing to fovererwded and insanitary homes and factories, the death race 53 ap-Pallingly high and the average lifetime only 25. years compared with NA years in Great Britain, ie set forth in the report of the Commission headed by the Rt Hon. J. H. Whitley, the former Speaker of the House of Commons and Chairman of the Royal Commission on Labour in India in 1929.
The Commission comprised of six Indians and. six British members who collected evidence throughout Indi The report bristles with cases of six to nine. persons living. in one Foam, in houses packed together without" sanitation" and completely Tneking hygiene neces The worst aspect of the situation, however, is probably that which te: Ines to children of five years of age, who are pledged to employers their parents in. payment of debt and are often compeled to work for alone unlimited hours for" two ence a day.
T's the report of the Royal Commission on' Labour in Tntia and he outcome of two Yeats" palnstaking research and inquiry. "he Commission, presid over by the Re, Hon, J. ili Whitey, ex. Speaker of the House of Commons, tansiated of cive. members, them st were Indans, while three thers bad lifelong experience: of Indian industrial affairs.
Over 16,000 miles were travelled indies indaatsal pro over
dertaking visked and: handveds of cary ato Tura memoranda studied. The reslt SHE pases conta unanimous and distinct reeome oar amarly involving Deesie-Wvhle"othert consist 9¢ advice to_employers.
The Fepore mate conatitte one of the most comprehensive surveys of working conditions eves complied Fegard to any country in the world.
inaulry ranged over the field of work in factories Kinds, in mines, transport, servic" public works and plantations, and has produced a wealth of information "not. elsewhere, available. upon buch questions as hours. of works micleney and. quality; inplojment of women "and" child Jabour; the ity, health and work-
Policy The problem studied was obvious ly complicated by many unusual factors, The report deals with the conditions of a vast number of workers who, although shrewd and intelligent, ave almost wholly ihe iterate, who have differing creeds and castes, with a diversity of Tanguages,'and whose methods of employment are influenced by custome which have existed for numer~ who sometimes charge 160 per cent. find. establish a load of debt. upon Workers which continues for years. The recommendations made are calculated to. discourage " money-fenders and favour the abolition of tachment for debt.
The Commission, realising that Indians cannot work with the same assiduity as workers in western timates, recommends a. reduction fof factory hours from 60 to 64, with other special reductions for women fand children. "Regarding uaregalattd factories, a system is proposed bringing all under inspection Sanitation and other purposes—a simplified form of factory law, to be reviewed in five years.
Numerous recommendations are made regarding supervision; maternity DeneSt and Nealty insurance; Inigimum wages; official help. for workers by cooperative credits; ex-Tension. of the Workmen's Com Densation Act to cover all workers organized industry; and recogni trade unions and' town-Planzing schemes, Dealing with the Assam plantations, the Commission " recommends hat no further barriers should.
up to prevent a free movement lof labour from one part of India to another. A new act is required in place of the Assam Labour and Emigration Act and the Government of India. should appoint a ficial" as protector of immi-l lerants in Assam. The emigrant should, after a period, have. the ight of repatriation at his employ Jers expense—a proposal. already fossured of the planters" approval.
The final chapter, dealing with labour and the constitution, makes suggestions for the formation of an industrial council and. for labour representation on central. and local ltedies—Wireleas. through Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.