Blue Plaque for East London Match Workers

It is fantastic to see that the place where the foundation for many of current our health, safety and employment laws were formed is getting official recognition.

A group of women and girls, known as the ‘Matchgirls’, who went on strike at a match factory in 1888 have been recognised with an English Heritage blue plaque.

The Bryant & May walkout in Bow, east London, was regarding the poor pay and dangerous working conditions.

The group worked 14-hour days in appalling conditions for a low wage, which was cut even further for workers who spoke out.