Jobs and Work

Many people moved from the countryside to cities to work in factories. Factories were dangerous to work in and the hours were long. Women and children were employed as unskilled labour because they could be paid less than men. Gradually regulations were introduced from the mid-1800s to improve working conditions. Children's working hours were reduced to a maximum of 6.5 hours a day.

The first factories were mills making cloth. There were several mills in Aberdeen. Adults and children worked in hazardous conditions to produce cotton, linen and woollen cloth. Children as young as ten could have been employed there.

Comb making was a huge industry in Aberdeen in the 19th century (1800s). One factory alone had almost 1000 workers. The factory was noisy, smelly, hot and dusty.

By the time the last comb factory and mill closed in Aberdeen, conditions were different. They were much safer places to work. Children had stopped being employed and women were entitled to be paid the same as men for doing the same work.

There are far fewer factories in Britain today than there were in the 19th and early 20th century. The oil and gas industry is very important to Aberdeen. Many people in this industry work in offices, others make equipment in workshops or work offshore. There are many rules and regulations in place to make sure that working conditions are as safe as possible.

Related Timelines

Local History - Industry