The nature of rural economy was home industry with the whole family participating. Young children were working from a tender age in farm work, in spinning and weaving. They had little education and little time for play.The pay was low and the working conditions not regarded.

The Industrial revolution, the invention of the new machines and their cost and situation in towns meant a mass migration of the poor to the city. They were housed in damp and insanitary houses, they were overcrowded, hungry, diseased and wretched. Wages were low, work sporadic and working conditions uncontrolled.Women and young children worked 12 hours and more a day in some of these factories.

Eventually and after many difficulties the workers organised themselves into Trade Unions to protect themselves from the exploitation of the owner and better to negotiate for wages and conditions of work.