Motion text
That this House commemorates for International Women’s Day the Matchgirls who went on strike in 1888 at the Bryant and May factory in Bow in response to poor working conditions; notes that factory workers were expected to work 14 hour days for poor pay in an unsafe working environment due to the exposure of phosphorus which was used to make matches; commends their achievements of scrapping the factory’s fine system, setting up a grievance system, abolishing the deductions for working materials and the improvement of health and safety standards; further notes the continued need to advocate for high labour standards; and recognises the Matchgirls as pioneers of gender equality and fairness at work who through their strike action and formation of the Union of Women Match Makers left a lasting legacy on the trade union movement.
Signatures (18)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Hopkins, Rachel
Labour
Signed on
6 March 2020
Begum, Apsana
Labour
Signed on
10 March 2020
Stephens, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
10 March 2020
Saville Roberts, Liz
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
10 March 2020
Hill, Mike
Labour
Signed on
10 March 2020
Robinson, Gavin
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
10 March 2020
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Hanvey, Neale
Independent
Signed on
10 March 2020
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
10 March 2020
Morris, Grahame
Labour
Signed on
11 March 2020
Stevens, Jo
Labour
Signed on
13 March 2020
Glindon, Mary
Labour
Signed on
14 March 2020
Mishra, Navendu
Labour
Signed on
17 March 2020
Cryer, John
Labour
Signed on
19 March 2020
McLaughlin, Anne
Scottish National Party
Signed on
23 March 2020
Gwynne, Andrew
Labour
Signed on
21 April 2020
Lavery, Ian
Labour
Signed on
4 May 2020
Russell-Moyle, Lloyd
Labour
Signed on
15 September 2020
Barker, Paula
Labour
Signed on
22 February 2021
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.