Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1897 — European Labor Congress. [ARTICLE]

European Labor Congress.

During the recent labor congress at Zurich a sharp controversy arose between the socialists and Roman Catholics on the question of women’s work. A Catholic member of the Belgian Parliament, M. Wiart, proposed a resolution to the effect that the work of women ought to be gradually abolished in lange industries. After three hours’ debate in section and five hours in congress, M. Decurtins, Catholic member of the Swiss Parliament, and Herr Bebel, socialist member of the German Parliament, were selected to close the discussion. The Catholics urged that equality of the sexes led to immorality. The sanctity of the family was the basis of society, wlli ch fa>*to ry 1 ife destroyed. The socialists argued that women were as badly treated in small trades, shops, and home work as tn large mills. M, Wiart’s proposal was rejected by 165 votes against 98. At an extra afternoon sitting the debate was resumed. The congress voted in favor of strengthening the law's protecting women in all forms of employment, resolving that the maximum hours of labor for women should be eight per day and forty-five per week, with a rest of fortytwo hours from noon on Saturdays. It was further resolved that after confinement women should not be required to work for six weeks, but should receive an indemnity equal to their wages from the State or municipality; that domestic servants and agricultural workers ought to have the right of combination, and that the laws permitting corporal punishment in Germany and Austria ought to be abrogated. A proposal favoring the abolition of home work was defeated by 70 votes to 68, the congress preferring an amendment to the effect that home work causes serious social and sanitary evils, but that the question is too complex for immediate settlement. New York Evening Post.