Evening star., 1901-09-20
FACTORY WOMEN IN JAPAN.
A Maximum Wage of % Cents for
Eleven Hours Work.

A Maximum Wage of % Cents for
Eleven Hours Work.
From the New York Tribune.
The women of the poorer class In Japan
are engaged in wage-earning labor to a Tar
greater extent than American women I'M
agine, weaving being their chief occupa-
tion Japanese women weave as American
women sew, ''for living" and In some
districts much of the weaving is done at
their homes. In other places there are
regularly equipped mills, with modern ma
chinery.
In the factories over $4,000 women are
employed. whose wages vary from a sum
equivalent to about 25 cents a day to less
than 10 cents. The men get from 70 cents
to 40 cents day.
Many more women than men are en-
ployed, in ages ranging from twelve years
to thirty years. In some of the mills there
is a system Of prizes for faithful service;
In others there Is increase of wages
three or four times a year as the worker
becomes more skilled. Nearly every mill
has some form Of recognition of improved
work and steady service, and the girls are
encouraged to THRIFT as well as industry.
In many Of them a system of either volun-
tary or compulsory saving Is in force and
10 per cent interest is paid all such de-
posits, Of whichever character, although in
the case of compulsory savings they are
piration Of her stipulated term, which is
usually three years.
That the system is beneficial may be as
sumed from the fact that often they have
accumulated 500 $50 at the end of
three years. This is not strange when the
cheapaess Of living is considered. Break
fast consists of boiled rice 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 is given to the girls at the lowest
possible prices, amounting to not more
than or 10 cents day.
A uniform costume is worn by the en-
ployes in some factories, and is purchased
from the firm for about 81, which is paid
In four or five monthly instaIlments
Everything else required such as shoes,
umbrellas and bed clothes, is furnished by
the mill.
In Toxic the mill owners have begun to
provide some education for the employees
and after work hours they are taught
reading, writing and sewing. The girls
are divided into night and day force,
each working about eleven hours They
have five or six holidays during the year
and week at the beginning Of the new
year They also have several hours a
week Tor rest while the machinery is be-
ing inspected for repairs. The work does
not seem to hurt the operatives, as the
sick rate Is extremely low, says an au-
thority: In one mill, for instance, where
1,aVo girls are employed there Is q daiIy
average of not more than four cases Of
sickness.
A physician is attached to each factory.
and women who are sick are allowed one.
half their wages. In case of injury received
IN IN the discharge OF duty full wages and a
consolation gift" are allowed. When a
trouble is pronounced incurable the min
owners defray medical charges, which are
about 3 cents day, and pay the patients
expenses to her home. Most of the illness
is some form of lung trouble
The operatives are usually engaged
through agents, who guarantee the girls
trustworthiness and capability For this
service each girl pays the agent 20 cents
on going to work and cents a month dur
ing her three years term Of employment.
There are In Toxic mills a number of en-
ployes who have been in the same mills
over twenty years.
japanese women of the middle class are
entering professional life more and more
ihere are now many trained nurses who
have studied In the hospitals, a few physi-
clans and number of teachers Of embroid-
cry, sewing, music and painting The last
named group of studies has always been
popular among Japanese women, who have
q taste for artistic oh