“An eight-hour day for women workers”: negotiating working time in the Bulgarian textile industry between international labour politics and the shop floor, 1890s to 1930s

The article investigates the issue of eight-hour workday and its application from early 1890s – when it first appeared on Bulgarian organized labour movement’s agenda following decisions Second International to adoption in national legislation as well by Labour Organization 1919, finally, enforcement day textile industry between two world wars. This explores continuities changes struggle adopt enforce day, conceptualizing them parts a single negotiated social process. employs gendered multi-scale approach explore how working time limits were shop floor, political stage, international organizations diverse groups such (un)organized (women) workers, trade unions activists with various affiliations, state through inspectorate, Organization. goes beyond gender-neutral language legal documents, instead arguing that was conceptualized differently some variations depending women’s life-course stage circumstances held particular importance for women workers.