Why were working conditions important in Australia between 1901-1914?

Answer 1

Working conditions in Australia were so important during 1901 and 1914 because of the conditions that many people worked in were poor and they had little rest. Many male workers faced exhaustion due to the fact that they worked up to 60+ hours a week. They were paid no 'time and a half' or 'over time' in those days, but the regular pay. Many started at six am and left at six pm, though some stayed til 10pm and walked home, some five kilometres to their home. Many city men worked in factories and in poor conditions. Some employees tried to give their workers good conditions, but many got off with the almost slavery conditions. Children were forced to work at the age of twelve, or earlier. Once they had finished school, they were expected to support their families. Children were sent to work in factories, and their was no minimum age limit for children workers. Children workers were employed because of the minimum wages that they earned from their employee and that they could crawl into small spaces and fix machinery easily. Many children died because of this. Women were expected to get married and have children and devote their life to being a housewife. Some unmarried women, or poorer women worked in sewing factories and were paid very little. Many worked up to 90 hours a week. Shop keepers were forced to stand on their feet for 12 hours straight when they worked. It was simple, if you sat down, you were fired. Working conditions in the 1900's were essential because people had no idea on proper health and safety issues, minimal ages for children to work and minimal hours.