The Claims of Labour an essay on the duties of the employers to the employed   By: Arthur Helps (1813-1875)

In "The Claims of Labour: An Essay on the Duties of the Employers to the Employed," Arthur Helps presents a thought-provoking examination of the relationship between employers and employees during the Industrial Revolution. Although lacking a gripping title that truly reflects its significance, this book offers valuable insights into the moral responsibilities of employers towards their labor force.

Helps delves into the social and economic upheavals of his time, exploring the challenges faced by workers and the duty of employers to address them. He argues that the rapid growth of industrialization demands a delicate balance between the pursuit of profit and the welfare of workers. As the industrial landscape takes shape, Helps argues that employers have an ethical obligation to ensure the well-being, safety, and fair treatment of their employees.

One of the strengths of this book is Helps' ability to cogently reflect upon the multifaceted issues surrounding labor in a rapidly changing society. He masterfully dissects the consequences of unregulated capitalism, highlighting the exploitative conditions, long hours, and meager wages endured by the working class. Through keen observation and moral reasoning, he emphasizes the importance of employers recognizing and responding to the grievances of their laborers, advocating for fair wages, improved living conditions, and the provision of education and leisure opportunities.

Helps' writing style is eloquent and accessible, making the complex subject matter understandable to a broad audience. His logical arguments, deeply rooted in moral philosophy and economic theory, shed light on the necessity of employers cultivating a reciprocal relationship with their workers. While his ideas may appear idealistic to some, they serve as an important reminder that profit should not come at the cost of human dignity.

However, it is important to note that "The Claims of Labour" was published in 1844, and some of Helps' proposals may be considered outdated in contemporary societal and economic contexts. Additionally, the absence of concrete examples or case studies limits the book's practical applicability, leaving readers longing for more substantiation of Helps' arguments.

In conclusion, "The Claims of Labour" is a compelling exploration of the moral obligations that employers owe to their employees. Arthur Helps' thoughtful insights and persuasive reasoning challenge readers to consider the impact of unchecked capitalism on the labor force and the importance of responsible business practices. Despite its lackluster title, this book remains a relevant source for those interested in the historical development of labor rights and the ongoing struggle for fair treatment in the workplace.

First Page:

“There is formed in every thing a double nature of good; the one, as every thing is a total or substantive in itself; the other, as it is a part or member of a greater body; whereof the latter is in degree the greater and the worthier, because it tendeth to the conservation of a more general form. Therefore we see the iron in particular sympathy moveth to the loadstone; but yet if it exceed a certain quantity, it forsaketh the affection to the loadstone, and like a good patriot moveth to the earth, which is the region and country of massy bodies. This double nature of good, and the comparative thereof, is much more engraven upon man, if he degenerate not; unto whom the conservation of duty to the public ought to be much more precious than the conservation of life and being: according to that memorable speech of Pompeius Magnus, when being in commission of purveyance for a famine at Rome, and being dissuaded with great vehemency and instance by his friends about him, that he should not hazard himself to sea in an extremity of weather, he said only to them, ‘Necesse est ut eam, non ut vivam... Continue reading book >>