THE EVOLUTION OF CHILD LABOR PROTECTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTS OF ENGLAND IN THE XIX CENTURY

The article is devoted to the study of the evolution of the legislative protection of child labor on the example of England. First of all, the origins of the practice of child labor, which date back to the XVI century. The ideological transition of understanding the phenomenon of the use of child labor from the feudal-agrarian to the industrial-capitalist era is highlighted. It is established that the first legal act in which attempts were made to regulate child labor was the Charter of Students of 1562. It has been proven that this Charter protected children from excessive exploitation for two centuries. Attention is paid to the gradual development of machine-factory production and the involvement of child labor. The causes and consequences of involving children in production using mechanical engines are analyzed. The mechanism of involvement and enrollment of children in the category of «factory students» is determined. The working, living and working hours of children in factories are being clarified. The factory legislation, the reasons and consequences of its introduction are considered in detail. The defining acts of the factory legislation are covered in chronological order and their basic norms are analyzed. Reports from parliamentary commissions and various inspections on the study of children's working conditions at work, aspects of children's upbringing and education are indicated. The gradual expansion of factory legislation to other types of factory production, where child labor was available, is considered. The opinions of scientists on the consequences of the introduction of factory legislation are given. The facts about the reaction of progressive members of English society to the excessive exploitation of child labor are presented, as well as criticism of the imperfection of the legislation on the protection of child labor. Attention is paid to statistics on the degree of involvement of children and adolescents in work in various industries.