Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1016 The Lord of the Army is a Good Man

More and more workers gathered in the government offices of Suzhou. The strike movement caused by rights protection has shut down many textile factories and smelting factories in Suzhou City, and even some factory owners have come here to protest.

"All of you give me peace of mind and don't make trouble. The prison is already overcrowded. Don't make things difficult for us!" Chief Soldier Wu Zhicai led the governors to maintain law and order in the streets of Suzhou City, fearing that the protesting people would gather to make trouble.

The main city road of Suzhou City was blocked by workers, and it was difficult for the surrounding shops to open.

"My lord, apart from letting us go back to our respective homes, does the government have no actual promise?" Some workers asked anxiously when they saw Wu Zhicai and the others coming.

"The government is asking for instructions from above. Please return to the factories and handicraft workshops first. We will notify you as soon as the instructions are issued from above." Wu Zhicai maintained his consistent rhetoric for several days, although he believed that these textile factory workers did not get the instructions. The government's actual commitment cannot be easily compromised.

The current situation has put them on the stove. If they stop fighting without gaining some benefits, their situation after the resistance may be even more difficult.

"Please ask the government to send the troublemakers home immediately. Our textile factory has not started work for several days, and we still owe the customer a batch of fabrics, because the breach of contract alone is as high as hundreds of taels of silver!" the owner of the textile factory Also come to Wu Zhicai.

"Don't be impatient. The workers will protest to the government. It has nothing to do with you. This matter needs three parties to negotiate to calm it down." Wu Zhicai said.

"There are more and more people outside the mansion. Has there been no reply from the Provincial Yamen?"

Wu Zhicai once again entered the Suzhou government office and challenged the prefect Chen Hongmi.With such things as telegrams, local officials became even more impatient to know the opinions of the capital.

In the past, when there was an accident in the local area, it took a lot of time to communicate with the capital through canals and horses. After the telegram, the local area wanted to get a faster reply.

"Wait a little longer patiently. I guess the higher-ups will be stunned when they know about the sudden incident in our Jiangnan area. Think about countermeasures." Chen Hongmi said.

"Well, ever since I can send telegrams, I want to know the capital's opinion immediately." Wu Zhicai said.

"Me too, although the telegram is faster, but I also become more anxious, wanting to know the attitude of the capital as soon as possible." Chen Hongmi is the same.

While the two were talking, the station master of Suzhou Telegraph Station rushed in.

"Master Zhifu, Lord Chief Soldier, the provincial yamen finally sent a reply!"

The telegram from Nanjing City reached Chen Hongmi's hands.

"Okay, Beijing has made corresponding arrangements for the interests of workers, and plans to introduce new laws to protect the interests of employees. Some details have been finalized." Chen Hongmi received Chu Yun's decision, and this It was a sigh of relief.

"It is mandatory for each worker to spend no more than six hours in the factory every day, with one hour off in the middle. I think some workers will be satisfied with this regulation. This is a kind of compromise for the worker group. The time of six hours is no longer It's too short." Wu Zhicai said after seeing Chu Yun's decision, after carefully scanning the telegram.

"Look carefully. In addition to the six-hour working time, there are also two days off for every five days of work. If you need to take up the workers' vacation time, you need to pay double wages." Chen Hongmi pointed to one of the telegrams. Details said.

"There are two days off every five days, which has never happened before! As far as I know, some factory workers only have holidays for a few important festivals, let alone five days off and two days off. Work stoppage One day will bring huge losses to businessmen. I think workers may welcome this new regulation, but for businessmen, such a system is a disaster. They must recruit more workers to maintain production. For them Saying it will increase costs, and they will make trouble with the government.” Wu Zhicai knew that the new measures would benefit workers, but it meant that businessmen would not be satisfied.

"It is also beneficial for factory owners to ensure that workers are satisfied. If workers go on strike or complain, the shutdown of their textile factories will cause greater losses. They also need to learn to weigh the pros and cons." Chen Hongmi said.

Soon the notice that the government is speeding up the formulation of the labor law was posted, and this time it is not as prevaricated as before. The new law has stipulated the working date to reduce the labor intensity of the workers.

"The government stipulates that the maximum working hours per day shall not exceed six hours, and there are five days off and two days off! If any factory or handicraft workshop dares to violate the new regulations, it is necessary to compensate the workers with double wages for exceeding the stipulated working hours. Forced labor and Those who do not pay their wages will be regarded as breaking the law and will face fines from the government.” A literate yamen servant read out one of the labor laws being drafted in front of the Suzhou government notice board, “This is just one of the new laws, and there are more How strict the terms are yet to be determined, the government must be on the side of the majority.”

The workers surrounded in front of the Suzhou Yamen were flattered to see that the government finally took concrete measures to improve their current treatment.They did not expect that the government did not use force to disperse them, but quickly made a compromise.

"It is mandatory to have five days off and two days off, and stay in the factory for no more than six hours a day. Is there really such a good time? I haven't had a vacation for many days." A worker couldn't believe it.

The government's compromise is a bit strong.And that's just an adjustment to the working hours.

"When the Lord of the Army heard about the accident in the Jiangnan area, he immediately made regulations on the working hours. It's just that the Lord of the Army is taking care of everything. Please return to your posts and work for the prosperity of the country. A complete labor law will be promulgated in the spring of next year at the latest. " said the yamen servant.

In order to make the people trust the new law more, Chu Yun can only use his own reputation to implement the labor law.

"Master Junzhu is really a good man. He cares so much about our workers. I believe he will guarantee the interests of our workers." A worker said.

"Yes, we believe in the military master. He has reduced the taxes of our poor people and has always treated us very well." Several workers said.

"According to the news from the capital, the new law will also help you solve problems such as dismissal and arbitrary wage deductions. The military leader is very concerned about your feedback. In the future, if you have any problems, you can report to the government. There is no need to take such drastic measures. Vigorous methods are not good for everyone, and after the situation is over, everyone will not be able to see their masters, right?" said the yamen servant.

Many workers gathered around the bulletin board heard this, and after the protest ended, they still had to return to work in their factories and handicraft workshops.

(End of this chapter)