Factory Worker

Factory worker is probably the most imporant profession in the modern world. Without them, whole economies would collapse and return to the feudal system. However, its importance doesn't mean that people working in it are treated any better. On the contrary, most factory owners treat their workers badly. Most workers are underpaid and don't receive any support in case of accidents and injuries. They are expected to work no matter what. When an injury makes a worker unable to work, they are fired and often end up on the street, homeless.

Career

Qualifications

In most cases, no special qualifications are required to be a factory worker. A foreman quickly explains how to operate the machines and leaves the new worker alone. If they work with coal, they also receive a special mask to protect themselves from inhaling coal dust.

Career Progression

There isn't much in the way of career progression available for factory workers. Most of them spend their whole lives doing the same thing every day. If they are lucky, they may become a foreman. However, it is quite uncommon as most factories don't require a lot of foremen.

Operations

Workplace

Factory workers work in a variety of factories. In most places, they work in big halls filled with steam engines and other machines. There is very little space to move around the factory and every wrong step can lead to an injury.

Dangers & Hazards

The biggest hazard related to the profession of a factory worker is the Factory Workers' Disease. It is caused by poor hygiene and inhaling large amounts of coal dust. Currently, workers who have contact with coal wear special masks, but the disease isn't eradicated completely. One of the reasons is that workers who do tasks not related to coal aren't considered in danger, but the factory's internal layout often means that they are breathing coal dust anyway.

What happened? Can't breathe? You're fired!
— Factory owner after discovering an ill worker
Alternative Names
Worker, Employee
Type
Industrial
Demand
Crucial
Related Technologies
Demography
In most countries about 2/3 of the working population work in factories
Related Condition
Factory Workers' Disease

Cover image: Veneficia cover by julianuc

Comments

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Jul 18, 2021 21:48 by Time Bender

What cruel factory owners! Sounds like the factory workers need to band together and demand change. I'm pretty sure if they all went on strike they might get noticed!