The Labor Movement and the Farmer (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 Excerpt: ...as well as the desirability of regulation of working time, prevention of unemployment, provision for a living wage, protection of children and women, vocational education, and insurance against sickness, injury and old age. The international labor office is in charge of a governing body of twenty-four members, twelve representing governments, six representing etnployers and six representing employees; while its annual conferences are made up of two government delegates, one labor and one employer from each member country. The United States has no membership in this bureau, but the first meeting nevertheless was held in Washington in the fall of 1919, with thirty nations represented. Several countries sent only government delegates; less than one-half were employer and labor representatives. A number of recommendations were agreed upon, bearing on the health and working conditions of labor, and including the question of immigration. Further proposals were adopted at the second and third conferences (Genoa 1920 and Geneva 1921). Great Britain has ratified four of the six proposals of the Washington meeting, but not the most important one, providing for the eight-hour day. Some of this legislation has been passed in thirteen countries; about half of the fortynine member nations have not as yet carried out the treaty pledge to submit the agreed recommendations to the competent authorities for action. At Geneva the most important debate turned on the question how to induce the various governments to put in force the conference's decisions, and very little light was shed on the question. It was openly declared by some of the delegates representing workingmen that continued inaction by the governments would destroy the confidence of labor in the international offi...