The Labor Protection Act

Chapter 17: Labor Protection Act

While the nobles were taking action, the capitalists were naturally not sitting idle. Having always postured as reformers, they found this sudden role reversal deeply uncomfortable.

Inside a manor in Vienna, a banquet was underway. The attendees were mostly Austrian capitalists, though, of course, a group of experts and scholars was also present.

"Mr. Veris, the current public opinion is extremely unfavorable to us. Many are attacking us for being profit-driven. If we don't take action, the enemy's conspiracy will succeed!"

"Indeed. They speak from a position of ease without considering the reality. Competition is so fierce right now that our profit margins are already razor-thin!"

"Exactly. With such meager profits and a market that changes by the hour, we might be making money today and losing it tomorrow. We have to constantly invest to expand production; it's a miracle we can even afford to feed the workers!"

"Where would we find the money to improve their treatment? If a Labor Protection Act were passed and all the benefits were handed to the workers, wouldn't we be working for nothing?"

"When that happens, who would invest in industry? These nobles, they lie around making money all day and only think of these crooked schemes!"

The highly respected Veris spoke up: "Enough, gentlemen. We are all aware of these issues. At this moment, we must unite to let the enemy see our strength!"

"The Labor Protection Act must never come to pass. If there is a first time, there will be a second. If we concede, the enemy will press us step by step."

"The nobles want to strangle us. Since they lack the guts to act directly, they have come up with this malicious idea."

"Do not be fooled. The current Labor Protection Act only requires us to take a small step back, but once the enemy's ambition is realized, they will constantly incite the workers to rise up against us."

"In the end, they will use high labor costs to drive us into decline, all to ensure their own lofty status remains unshaken!"

"Mr. Veris, what should we do now? You must know that the nobles control the government. Many of us have likely already used our influence to lobby them, but the situation remains grim!"

Veris sneered and said: "Mr. Trios, you are correct. The nobles control the government, so how could our petitions possibly have any effect?"

"Why would the nobles propose a Labor Protection Act? Is it possible they are truly overflowing with kindness? If that were the case, why haven't they emancipated the serfs?"

That was true. Why would the nobles suddenly become so kind?

They were all old foxes; the point was understood instantly. In a short time, everyone came up with several reasons.

For example: it was a distraction to shift the focus of reform toward worker welfare; or perhaps it was the noble class's retaliation against the bourgeoisie's demands to abolish serfdom...

"Does Mr. Veris mean we should just continue with our business?" Trios asked uncertainly.

Veris said with righteous indignation: "Correct. We cannot be led by the nose by the enemy. The main purpose of the nobles proposing the Labor Protection Act is to force us to make concessions."

"But can we concede?"

"To take one step back is to fall into an abyss!"

"Right now, our most important task is to expose the wolfish ambitions of the enemy and win more people over to our side. Only then can we achieve final victory!"

"But Mr. Veris, the enemy caught us off guard with a sudden strike. Public opinion is currently very unfavorable to us, and many neutral parties have sided with them on this issue!" Ham asked with a furrowed brow.

Veris's expression changed. He knew his leadership was not entirely convincing, and Ham was one of his challengers. On the surface, his question seemed reasonable, but beneath it lay hidden daggers.

"Mr. Ham, I think such a simple matter is no problem for everyone here at all. Is it not easy to persuade them?"

"Bribe a portion of them to speak for us, eliminate the die-hards among them, and frame the secret police. This is not the first time we have done such things!"

Black or white, it no longer mattered; public opinion could be manipulated. Everyone was fighting for their own interests. The capitalists did not want to give up the profits they had already secured, even if it meant making concessions in other areas of government.

Wanting only to gain without giving—this was the nature of capitalists. They might be weak in other areas, but once their own interests were involved, they could unleash twelve times the fighting strength.

Now that Veris had laid it all out, there was no need for gentlemanly conduct. Soon, Austria would feel the true bite of the capitalists.

The fighting strength of the capitalists was formidable. At the very least, their influence over public opinion was far greater than that of the nobles. If not for the censorship system tipping the scales, public opinion would have been completely reversed by now.

Looking at the intelligence in his hands, Franz couldn't even be bothered to complain. In this round of fighting, the conservative nobles had proven themselves to be utterly useless.

The first to be hoodwinked by the capitalists were the students. The University of Vienna was the first to be compromised, with many believing this was a scam fabricated by the government.

Whether they truly believed it or were just pretending, Franz did not know. Regardless, he was clear that many had been bought off by the capitalists.

Franz ordered: "Tyrone, give Archduke Louis a hint. Let them discover the bourgeoisie's conspiracy and push the Labor Protection Act through as quickly as possible!"

The best approach now was to create a fait accompli while the capitalists were busy counterattacking.

As for the specific content of the Labor Protection Act, Franz couldn't be bothered to interfere. He knew the nobles wanted to retaliate against the bourgeoisie, so the clauses of this law would be extremely unfavorable to the capitalists.

Franz didn't even care about the connection between the intelligence agencies and the nobles; he had to admit he had overestimated these decadent aristocrats.

They controlled the government, yet they couldn't even pass a simple bill in several months under the influence of the bourgeoisie.

Time flew by. After months of controversy and bickering, on November 21, 1847, history finally turned a new page. The Austrian Empire's first Labor Protection Act was released to the world.

The Labor Protection Act stipulated:

1. Starting March 1, 1848, Austria will implement an eight-hour workday. Workers may voluntarily choose whether to work overtime (capitalists may not reduce wages for this reason, and overtime pay must be provided).

2. Local governments will formulate minimum wage standards in the near future. Any factory operating within the territory of Austria must comply with these regulations.

3. Implement work-related injury protection regulations; specific measures will be issued by the government in the near future.

4. Prohibit the arbitrary deduction or withholding of wages. Violators will be subject to a penalty of ten times the amount, and the industrial and commercial departments will impose fines based on the severity of the case.

Thank you to all the big bosses for your tips. Haiyue is very grateful!!!

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