The Combination Act was a law passed in the United Kingdom in 1799 that made it illegal for workers to combine or form unions to negotiate better working conditions or wages. The act was passed in response to growing fears among employers and the government about the increasing power and influence of workers' groups. It was associated with Robert Peel, who was the British Prime Minister at the time.
The Combination Act was a controversial law that was widely opposed by workers and labor activists. It was eventually repealed in 1824, following a campaign by labor leaders and a growing recognition that the act was hindering the rights of workers to organize and negotiate for fair treatment.
The Combination Act had a significant impact on the history of labor rights in the United Kingdom and the broader development of organized labor. It was one of the first laws to specifically target workers' groups and unions, and set a precedent for similar laws that were passed in other countries. The repeal of the act was also an important step in the eventual recognition of workers' rights to organize and negotiate collectively.