ON women's labour. 309 



The special dangers arising from steam engines are safeguarded by the 

 law of April 18, 1896. These laws are enforced by inspectors whose 

 powers are similar to those of the inspectors appointed under the labour 

 law of 1889. 



Women and young persons were prohibited from working in any 

 dangerous processes connected with the manufacture of matches containing 

 white phosphorus by a decree of June 24, 1898, but the entire manu- 

 facture of such matches has since been forbidden (May 28, 1901), and 

 their import, export, and sale forbidden, except in very small quantities, 

 Transit through Holland is permitted.' 



IX. — The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 



The establishment of factories and workshops in Luxembourg is sub- 

 ject to the fulfilment of certain conditions as to safety and hygiene, which 

 are deemed necessary in the interests of the public as well as of the 

 persons employed in them. 



The law of December 6, 1876, regulates the employment of women and 

 children. The age for beginning work is fixed at twelve. Young persons 

 may not work at night or underground. No girls or women may be 

 employed underground. 



This law was further amplified and defined by the decrees of 

 August 23, 1877, and May 30, 1888, on the hours of labour. Children 

 under fourteen years may work eight hours a day if provided with a 

 medical certificate stating that they are fit ; if not their maximum 

 day is limited to six hours. Young persons under sixteen may not 

 work more than ten hours, or eleven if they possess a medical certificate. 

 The decree of 1877 also regulates the provisions for the health and 

 safety of factories in which young persons are employed. 



The employment of youths from sixteen to eighteen years of age in 

 mines and quarries is subject to a law of April 30, 1890, and to a decree 

 of January 7, 1891.2 



X. — Hungary. 



Hungarian law does not interfere with the labour of adults, whether 

 men or women ; the only restriction upon the labour of women over 

 sixteen years of age is that which prohibits their employment within four 

 Aveeks after confinement. 



No special law exists for Hungarian mines : the conditions of labour 

 are regulated by the Austrian law of 1854. A Bill on mining indus- 

 tries has been introduced since that time, but it has not passed. It must 

 not, however, be assumed that in the absence of special legislation the 

 conditions of labour in the mines of Hungary are less favourable than 

 elsewhere. Women and children under fourteen years of age are hardly 

 ever employed underground ; the force of custom is as effectual as legal 

 prohibition. 



> Annuaire de la Legislation du Travail, 1898, p. 336 ; Heme du Travail 

 (^Office du Travail de Belgique), July 1901, p. 816. 

 ' 2 Hygiene et Sccnrite des TravailUvrs, pp. 63 and 377^83, 



