Government Action to Help Workers

• The government introduced some legislation to improve working conditions but this was limited in scope.
• In 1885, night-time employment of women and children was prohibited.
• In 1886, workers had to be employed by contracts approved by factory boards.
• In 1892, employment of children under 12 and women was banned in mines.
• The government was reluctant to do more to improve workers' lives as they feared that if labour costs rose then this would frighten off foreign investors and Russian businessmen.
• People were used to a hard life and hard work and so did little to demand better conditions especially as so many people were looking for work.
• Between 1886 and 1895, there were around 33 strikes a year on average - a relatively low number.