Standard-Setting in Colonial Labour Regulation and the Great Depression

Abstract

The Great Depression (1929–1939) can be seen as an international turning point in labour regulation in the colonies of European imperial powers in Sub-Sahara Africa. The context of the Great Depression essentially marked the beginning of the end of the era of post-slavery labour “market-making”, witnessing the move away from forced labour, first steps towards protection of employees and changes in form, length, administrative and penal framing of individual labour relations. The article traces the main features of labour-related legislation and its changes, reflecting modes of production, racial labour relations, the changing role of colonial administration and the contribution of the International Labour Organisation to legal developments especially in British, French and German Sub-Sahara colonies.