Consider the following statements:

1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.

2. N.M.Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 2.Key PointsThe Factories Act, 1881:

• P urpose:
  • The Factories Act, 1881 was enacted under the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon to improve the working conditions of laborers, focusing primarily on child labor.
• Children’s Employment Restrictions:
  • The Act prohibited the employment of children under the age of seven and limited the working hours for children under 12 years.
• Safety and Rest Provisions:
  • It introduced mandatory rest periods and required that dangerous machinery be fenced properly.
• No Mention of Wages or Trade Unions:
  • The Act did not address the fixation of wages or the formation of trade unions.
  • Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• N.M. Lokhande and the Labour Movement
  • Labour Pioneer: N.M. Lokhande was a key figure in organizing the labour movement in British India, especially in the textile industry.
  • Social Work: He also worked on communal and caste-related issues affecting workers.
  • Hence, statement 2 is correct .