1. Age Restrictions for Employment: The law set a minimum age requirement of 14 years for employment in factories and workshops, and 16 years for dangerous occupations such as mining and certain types of manufacturing. This provision helped reduce child labor by restricting the employment of young children in hazardous industries.
2. Work Hour Limitations: The law limited the number of hours children could work to a maximum of 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. This regulation aimed to prevent children from working excessive hours that could affect their physical and mental well-being.
3. Educational Opportunities: The law required children between the ages of 14 and 16 to attend school for at least 16 weeks each year. This provision ensured that children had access to education despite their work commitments and helped promote literacy and skill development.
4. Improved Safety Measures: The law mandated the implementation of safety measures in workplaces where children were employed. It required employers to provide adequate ventilation, proper lighting, and safeguards against dangerous machinery to ensure the safety of young workers.
5. Enforcement Mechanisms: The law established a system for enforcing labor regulations and penalties for non-compliance. The presence of labor inspectors helped ensure that employers adhered to the law's provisions and provided safer and more humane working conditions for children.
By introducing these changes, the Illinois labor law of 1893 played a crucial role in improving the lives of children in the state. It reduced the incidence of child labor, provided opportunities for education, ensured safer working conditions, and contributed to the overall well-being of children in Illinois.
