Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1017 The factory owner also has demands

"It's not a good thing for us to enforce the government's working hours for workers. It's too easy for workers to do five days off and two days off, and the wages are still calculated on a monthly basis, even during the rest period. Yes, it is not allowed to reduce wages because of extra rest time, otherwise we will be sued. This is a huge loss for our workshop, and our workshop will increase the cost again!"

The notice posted by the Suzhou government satisfied most workers, but it violated the interests of the merchant group, and the merchants gathered to discuss countermeasures.

"However, our textile factory has not started work for several days. The textile machine has increased its output, and it must be operated by workers. If we continue to stop working like this, we will lose a lot. I think we might as well look at the final labor law meeting first." How much impact will it have on us? If all the terms are unfavorable to us, we also need to lodge our protest with the government.”

"We businessmen are here to make money. How much wages those workers can get is not determined by their labor? Of course they will be eliminated if they are not as good as machines. Do you want us to be philanthropists?"

"Workers can gather to make trouble, and we businessmen can also jointly protest to the government and fight for our rights. This is the way to reciprocate courtesy."

In the restaurants in Suzhou City, rich Suzhou businessmen who knew each other told their troubles.Their wealth did not fall from the sky, but was accumulated through the hard work of one generation or several generations. The nature of businessmen is to pursue profits, and to divide their interests is to cut their flesh.

"Everyone, I, Wang Changyuan, originally came back to Wuhu from the north to visit relatives. I came to Suzhou City for a visit. I happened to encounter this stall. I didn't expect that the workers in Suzhou City would clash with you." A wealthy businessman said.

Everyone looked at that person, it was Wang Changyuan, a private businessman who was very close to the Kyushu Army.

"It turned out to be shopkeeper Wang. I heard that you have a close relationship with the government. I wonder if you know the specific situation of the labor law. Will it greatly damage the interests of our businessmen?" Many businessmen in Suzhou City asked Wang Changyuan.

After the government nationalized the land, wealthy businessmen could not invest their property in buying fields, so they had to use their property to buy factories, which were government-approved "industrial land."As a fixed asset, the factory can not only maintain its value, but also produce it continuously every year, so that the wealth will continue to increase.The key is that the government does not limit the number of "factory land", so a businessman can own multiple factories, and in theory, he can open factories all over the provinces if he has money.

"It happened suddenly, and I have never heard that the government was formulating labor laws before. It may be that the government issued new laws urgently in order to alleviate the uneasiness of the workers. Since ancient times, there is a saying that the people do not fight with the government. If we decide to stand on the side of the workers, we should not confront the government, otherwise we will be the ones who suffer." Wang Changyuan said.

"Business Manager Wang's words are wrong. Workers can appeal to the government for their own interests, but we businessmen can't? We can lower wages, isn't it because even if the wages are lower, there are still people willing to do it?" A crowd of Suzhou businessmen shouted.

This restaurant has been booked by businessmen, their wealth can be imagined, even if it is just a conversation, there must be enough ostentation to book the place directly.Perhaps this group of people is already one of the wealthiest businessmen in the world.

"According to my experience, the military master is the type of those who follow me prosper and those who oppose me perish. I think you should make some compromises, let the workers return to the workshop or factory first, and don't continue to anger the government. You can also give Workers provide some benefits to appease them, and those who should be replaced by machines will still be fired, and workers who can manipulate machines will be better paid, and they will be differentiated from within." Wang Changyuan said.

"Treasurer Wang can do this trick. Raise the wages of skilled workers and dismiss ordinary workers. With the new textile machines and steam engines, we don't need so many workers at all. We can't let us raise a group of useless workers for nothing. people?" Many businessmen present echoed what Wang Changyuan said.

They can raise wages for workers who are valuable to them now, but they will not have the idea of ​​increasing wages for workers who have lost value.Capital is ruthless.

"If the government forces us to keep redundant workers, we won't do it. This is our bottom line. Giving workers more holidays is already very lenient. If we still can't decide whether to fire a worker according to our own wishes, then why not? Is it right?" said a businessman.

"Yes, we have the right to freely decide to hire a person, and the government cannot deprive us of this right!" More businessmen present shouted one after another, and some excitedly slapped the table.

Shopkeeper Wang is also a businessman like them, and he also knows their demands. It is difficult for the government to strike a balance between businessmen and workers.If you choose a businessman, you offend the workers; if you choose a worker, you offend the businessman.

It is estimated that Chu Yun is going to have a headache.Wang Changyuan knows that it is not easy to balance the two groups.Should I explain the demands of the merchant group to Chu Yun?If I could intervene and resolve this matter for Chu Yun smoothly, I would probably be able to gain Chu Yun's favor.Wang Changyuan came up with the idea of ​​acting as a representative of the merchant group to deal with the government.

"Treasurer Wang, if you know anyone in the government, please explain to the government the plight of us businessmen in Suzhou. We all buy machines in response to the government's call. With machines, the number of manual workers will be reduced accordingly. How can it be blamed?" Us?" said a businessman.

"That's right, shopkeeper Wang, you who are engaged in maritime trade have not established your own factory, so naturally you don't know the hardships of us factory owners. Our factory is equivalent to your private cargo ship, and the employees are just like your sailors. You Thinking that if your private cargo ship doesn't need so many sailors, can you keep them for nothing?" Another businessman said.

"After listening to everyone's words, Wang wants to take care of this matter and talk to the government on behalf of everyone. He also hopes to guarantee the rights of our businessmen to be free employees before the labor law is promulgated." Wang Changyuan decided to intervene in this matter. , and said to many businessmen.

"Shopkeeper Wang, our appeal is more than that. In addition to free employees, we also need to ensure that employees work loyally for us, keep our business secrets, and not take unreasonable vacations." The businessmen in Suzhou City are planning to compromise with the workers. At the same time, it is also proposed that the new law must protect their interests.

(End of this chapter)