New-York tribune., 1901-08-17
JAPANESE FACTORY WOMEN.
THEIR WAGES RANGE FROM Is TO %
CENTS a DAY-ELEVEN HOURS
A DAYS WORK.

The women Of the poorer class in Japan are
engaged IN wage earning labor 10 a far greater
extent than American women imagine, weaving
being their chief occupation. japanese women
Weave as American women sew, for living"
and IN some districts much Of the weaving is done
81 their homes. IN other places there are regu-
IarIy equipped mills, with modern machinery
In the factories over thirty-five thousand women
are employed whose wages vary from a sum
equivalent 10 about . cents day 10 less than -
cents The men get from 25 cents 10 40 cents a
Gay
Many more women than men are employed, in
ages ranging from twelve years thirty years. In
slue Of the mills there Is a system OF prizes for
faithful service; in Others there is increase Of
wages three OF four times year the worker
becomes more skilled. Nearly every mill has some
form Of recognition OF improved work and steady
service and the girls are encouraged 10 thrift as
Wei industry In many Of them system Of
either voluntary or compulsory saving is IN force
10 per cent interest is paid all such deIos-
its, Of whichever character although in the case
of compulsory savings they forfeited II the
rrI leaves before the expiration Of her stipulated
Term which is usually three years.
That the system is beneficial may be assumed
from the fact that cfJen they have accumulated
500 $50 ot the end OF three years. This is not
strange when the cheaPness OF living is consid-
cred Breakfast consists Of boiled rec and pickles
or bean soup; for dinner. rice and vegetables are
served. and. for supper. rice and fish or meat.
some OF the mills and factories have boarding
houses attached at which board ts given 70 the
girls at the lowest possible prices. amounting 10
mot more than eight ten cents day.
uniform costume Is worn by the employees IN
some factories and is purchased from the firm for
about s. which IS paid in four fiVe monthly
sediments Everything else required, such as
shoes, umbrellas and bedclouhes is furnished by
In Toxic The mill owners have begun 10 provide
some education for the employees, and after work
hours they are taught reading, writing and sew
ing. The girls divided into q night and 4 6av
force. each working about eleven hours. They
have nVe or six holidays during the year and a
week az tle beginning Of the year. They
also have several hours week for rest. while the
machinery IS being inspected for repairs The
sick rate is extremely low, says authority. In
one mil. for instance. where 1400 girls are en-
pl0yec. there IS daily average Of not more than
four cases OF sickness.
women who sick allowed one-half their
wages. IN OF injury received in the discharge
o- duty tul wages and consolation gift are
allowed When a trouble Is pronounced incurabIe
6b0u- three cents day. and pay the patients ex-
penses 10 her home. Most OF the illness is some
form OF lung trouble
The operatives usually engaged through
agents. who guarantee the girls trusUworthiness
ana capablllty For this service each girl pays
Nne agent % cents on going work and two cents
Z month during her three years term of employ
nert There are IN Toxic mills number Of en-
I-oFes who have been IN the same mills over
twenty years.
japanese women OF the middle class are enter
Ing professional life more and more There are
now many trained nurses who have studied in the
hospitals, q feW physicians and number OF
teachers Of embroidery, sewing, music and paint
been popular among japanese women who have q
TASTE Tor arCsIlc accomplishments.