Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/199

Rh 173 Nevertheless, in the industries mentioned, something has already been done in both directions. India has had three Factory Laws, each law marking a substantial advance on its predecessor. The Committee has had evidence that the laws have been well administered and are effective. 3. The Factory Law at present covers mainly textiles and certain branches of railway and engineering work, and applies only to establishments in which at least 50 persons are employed, though it is possible, by administrative order (which has often been brought into effect where abuses were suspected) to bring under the law establishments employing 20 persons. 4. The Committee is of opinion that the present Conference can legislate usefully only with regard to large industrial undertakings, such as are already within the scope of the Factory Acts and mines. With regard to these, (i.e. all industries at present under the Factory Acts, mines, and certain branches of railway and iron works), the Committee recommend that the Government of India should be asked to adopt the principle of a 60hour week. 5. The Committee however recommends the Cono ference to lay before the Government of India a very urgent request that it should consider two important matters ; first, the possibility of adopting a lower limit for underground work in mines, and secondly, the possibility of adopting in the light of standards accepted in other countries a modified definition of "factory", which would reduce the number of workers required to bring a factory under the scope of the Act. The Committee thinks that it should be possible at a near date to limit the hours of