WOMEN WORKERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 18

WOMEN WORKERS

FACTORIES IN COLOMBO

Mention is made of, the large factories in Colombo by Miss Amy Kane in describing her visit there v ,'A number make coir mats, and these employ women mostly^ As they are not able to leave the children they are brought to the factories and the breathing-in of dust naturally means ill health, so a home was opened for them during the day. This has developed greatly, and the workers seemed to be carrying oh much the same-kind of work as is being done at the Women's Unemployment Bureau in Wellington. Part of the place is an establishment for girls (from 12 upwards), whose parents cannot help them, or who cannot get work.- They teach them embroidery, sewing,, and lace work. There is a great deal of bobbin lace made in Ceylon. They also teach the girls to cook, and there is a meal prepared for all in the establishment. Then there is the infant welfare centre, but the sight of some of the little ones is very sad; they are like famine children. There is a very capable woman there, who was formerly a V.A.D., and who opened a convalescent home when malaria was very bad. It soon became a hospital, and very fine work is done there voluntarily by Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. They work in the kitchen, the boys' part being to carry them round to the patients when prepared. Many orders for work are received in the embroidery- department, and Miss Kane saw some beautiful work, one frock being ordered from Ireland. The creche is largely run by voluntary workers, too. They take about 150 children each day. Each is put into a clean garment and has a meal of rice and milk. They are put into their own garment when they leave, the creche ones being washed each day. A new wing was being erected for children whose parents are too poor to keep them at all. There was a great movement going on ior a better supply of milk, which at ■ present is of poor quality and supply.- They use patent foods a good deal. The municipality supports a number of infant welfare centres, also playgrounds with people in. charge.