Sweating system
Encyclopedia
Sweating system was a term used to describe an iniquitous system of subcontracting in the tailor
ing trade which came into prominence around 1848. In contemporary English
the term sweatshop
has a similar meaning. Orders from master-tailors were undertaken by sub-contractors, who themselves farmed the work out to needy workers, who made the articles in their own crowded and foetid homes, receiving "starvation wages."
The term became more widely used in reference to all trades in cases where the conditions imposed by masters tend to grind the rate of payment down to a bare living wage and to subject the workers to unsanitary surroundings by overcrowding and to unduly long hours. Kingsley's pamphlet, "Cheap Clothes and Nasty," and novel, Alton Locke
, did much to draw public attention to the practice. In 1890 an elaborate report by a committee of the House of Lords
was published, and led in the following year to the passing of the Factory and Workshops Act 1891 and the Public Health Act 1891, which improved conditions for workers.
Tailor
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially suits and men's clothing.Although the term dates to the thirteenth century, tailor took on its modern sense in the late eighteenth century, and now refers to makers of men's and women's suits, coats, trousers,...
ing trade which came into prominence around 1848. In contemporary English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
the term sweatshop
Sweatshop
Sweatshop is a negatively connoted term for any working environment considered to be unacceptably difficult or dangerous. Sweatshop workers often work long hours for very low pay, regardless of laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage. Child labour laws may be violated. Sweatshops may have...
has a similar meaning. Orders from master-tailors were undertaken by sub-contractors, who themselves farmed the work out to needy workers, who made the articles in their own crowded and foetid homes, receiving "starvation wages."
The term became more widely used in reference to all trades in cases where the conditions imposed by masters tend to grind the rate of payment down to a bare living wage and to subject the workers to unsanitary surroundings by overcrowding and to unduly long hours. Kingsley's pamphlet, "Cheap Clothes and Nasty," and novel, Alton Locke
Alton Locke
Alton Locke is an 1850 novel, by Charles Kingsley, written in sympathy with the Chartist movement, in which Carlyle is introduced as one of the personages.-Overview:...
, did much to draw public attention to the practice. In 1890 an elaborate report by a committee of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
was published, and led in the following year to the passing of the Factory and Workshops Act 1891 and the Public Health Act 1891, which improved conditions for workers.