It looks as if the unskilled labourers of Europe were
going to get a general rise in wages,—a result which, if it does not paralyse trade, and so injure the poor, must be regarded as ex- tremely satisfactory. The whole of the dock-labourers on strike at Rotterdam resumed work on Thursday, their demands being practically conceded. In future, they are to receive 5d. an hour for time-labour, though in regard to piece-work only partial concessions have been made. Four hours'- work certain, instead of the six proposed, is to be guaranteed by the employers, and Sunday wages are only to be increased by 50 instead of 100 per cent. These terms are to bind both sides till the end of the year. The net result of the strike, as in London, will be to still further restrict casual labour, and so to increase the misery of the residuum.
Previous page
