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Description
This programme examines relationships between management in Taylor's, a towel-weaving factory, and Moslem workers, in Horwich, near Bolton, Lancashire. The night shift is manned mainly by an Indian... labour force. The principle reason for this is that the only people who are prepared to work the long night shift, 10pm to 8am, are the most recent immigrants to the town. But most of these workers are Moslems and this poses problems for their employers. The necessity for the Moslem to pray five times a day and to observe the month-long fast before the feast of Ramadan upset the work routine of industrial capitalism. The workers have to take time off to observe these rituals, but management are reluctant to let the machines lie idle. This programme looks at the adaptation that Taylors have had to make to these demands; this includes the building of a prayer room in the mill. The programme includes film of the work process, religious rituals and interviews with management and Indian workers.
This programme examines relationships between management in Taylor's, a towel-weaving factory, and Moslem workers, in Horwich, near Bolton, Lancashire. The night shift is manned mainly by an Indian... labour force. The principle reason for this is that the only people who are prepared to work the long night shift, 10pm to 8am, are the most recent immigrants to the town. But most of these workers are Moslems and this poses problems for their employers. The necessity for the Moslem to pray five times a day and to observe the month-long fast before the feast of Ramadan upset the work routine of industrial capitalism. The workers have to take time off to observe these rituals, but management are reluctant to let the machines lie idle. This programme looks at the adaptation that Taylors have had to make to these demands; this includes the building of a prayer room in the mill. The programme includes film of the work process, religious rituals and interviews with management and Indian workers.
| Module code and title: | D101, Making sense of society |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D101; 22 |
| First transmission date: | 31-07-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:24 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Clare Falkner |
| Contributors: | Ken Hahle; Peter Hamilton |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Daily prayer; Feast of Ramadan; Management/worker relationships; Moslem labour force; Night shift; Prayer room; Religious rituals; Taylor's towel factory, Bolton; Work processes; Work routine |
| Footage description: | Hamilton outlines the textile industry in Bolton and the role of Moslems in the work force. Shots of Bolton. Simpson outlines the various shift schemes and the problems of keeping labour. This is especially true of the night shift, manned mainly by Asians. Patel and other Asians discuss their work in the mills and how prayer can interfere with the organisation. Various shots of looms, work in the mills etc. Shots of the prayer room at Taylors, Asian workers praying etc. with Hamiltons commentary over. Patel explains what arrangements they came to with the management over the prayer room. Simpson looks at the managements reason for building the prayer room. Some Asian workers discuss other facilities they would like, especially special holidays. Simpson explains the managements view. The effects of the feast of Ramadan are examined by the Asian workers and management. Hamilton sums up over shots of children playing cricket in the street. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71812 |
| Production number: | 00525_2174 |
| Videofinder number: | 1680 |
| Available to public: | no |
