INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION:

INTRODUCTION:

The International Labour Organization (ILO), based in Geneva, became the first specialized agency of the UN. It
was founded in 1919, in response to a destructive war, to pursue a vision based on the premise that universal, lasting
peace can be established only if it is based upon decent treatment of the workers. ILO is devoted to advancing
opportunities for women and men to obtain productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human
dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social
protection and strengthen dialogue in handling work-related issues.
MAIN ACTIVITIES:
The ILO is the global body responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labor standards and for ensuring
that these standards are respected in practice and principle. The member States of the ILO meet at the International
Labour Conference in June of each year. Employer and worker delegates can freely express themselves and vote
according to instructions received from their organizations. They sometimes vote against each other or even against
their government representatives. The Conference establishes and adopts international labor standards and is a
forum for discussion of key social and labor questions. It also adopts the Organization's budget and elects the
Governing Body.
AIMS :
The principle aim of the I.L.O is the welfare of labour as reaffirmedby the Philadelphia Conference of 1944 under
the Philadelphia Declaration, on which the I.L.O. is based.
(a) Labour is not a commodity;
(b) Freedom of expression and of association are essential to sustained progress;
(c) Poverty anywhere constitutes danger to prosperity everywhere;
(d) The war against want requires to be carried on with unrelenting vigour within each nation, and by continuous
and concerted international effort in which the representatives of workers and employers, employing equal status
with those of governments, join with them in free discussion and democratic decision with a view to the promotion
of the common welfare.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE I.L.O:
The objectives of the I.L.O are enunciated in the preamble to its Constitution, supplemented by Article 427 of the
Peace Treaty of Versailles, 1919; as well as by the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944.
The Declaration of Philadelphia set for 10 objectives, which the International Labour Organisation was to further
promote among the Nations of the world. The theme underlying these objectives is social justice. The objectives
are as follows :
(a) Full employment and the revising of standards of living,
(b) The employment of workers in the occupation in which they can have the satisfaction of giving the fullest
measure of their skill and make their contribution to the common well-being,
(c) The provision, as means to the attainment of this end, and under adequate guarantees for all concerned, of
facilities for training and the transfer of labour, including migration for employment and settlement.
(d) Policies in regard to wages and earning forms and other conditions of work. Calculate to ensure a just share of
the fruits of progress to all, and a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of protection.
(e) The effective recognition of the right of collective bargaining, the co-operation of management and labour in the
continuous improvement of productive efficiency and the collaboration of workers and employers in social and
economic measures,
(f) The extension of social security measures to provide a basic income to all in need of such protection and
comprehensive medical care,
(g) Adequate protection for the life and health of workers in all occupations,
(h) Provision for child welfare and maternity protection.
ROLE of ILO:
• Full employment & raising standard of living
• Ensure employment, in which workers are in should get satisfaction
• Facilities for training & transfer of labour-migration for employment & settlement
• Policies with wages, hours & condition of work
• Effective recognition of the right of collective bargaining
• Protection of life & health of workers
• Provision for child welfare & maternity protection
• Provision for adequate nutrition, housing
• Assurance of equality of education & vocational opportunity.

LABOR UNION
INTRODUCTION:
A labor union, also called a trade union or workers union, is an organization that represents the collective interests
of employees. Labor unions help workers unite to negotiate with employers over wages, hours, benefits, and other
working conditions. They are often industry-specific and tend to be more common in manufacturing, mining,
construction, transportation, and the public sector. However, while beneficial to members, labor union
representation in the United States has declined significantly in the private sector over time. Effective unions tend to
help maintain traditional pensions. They are considered an aspect of social justice.
Types:
There are four main types of trade unions.
These are:
i. Craft unions:
These represent workers with particular skills e.g. plumbers and weavers. These workers may be employed in a
number of industries.
ii. General unions:
These unions include workers with a range of skills and from a range of industries.
iii. Industrial unions:
These seek to represent all the workers in a particular industry, for instance, those in the rail industry.
iv. White collar unions:
These unions represent particular professions, including pilots and teachers. Unions in a country, often belong to a
national union organisation. For example, in India, a number of unions belong to the All India Trade Union
Congress (AITUC).
This is the oldest and one of the largest trade union federations in the country. A number of them also belong to
international trade union organisations such as the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which has
more than 230 affiliated organisations in 150 countries.
ROLE OF UNIONS:
Unions carry out a number of functions. They negotiate on behalf of their members on pay scales, working hours
and working conditions. These areas can include basic pay, overtime payments, holidays, health safety, promotion
prospects, maternity and paternity rights and job security.

Depending on the circumstances, unions may try to protect or improve workers’ rights. They also provide
information on a range of issues for their members, for instance on pensions. They help with education and training
schemes and may also participate in measures designed to increase demand for the product produced and hence for
labour.
 Some also provide a range of benefits to their members including strike pay, sickness pay and
unemployment pay. In addition many get involved in pressurizing their governments to adopt a legislation, which
will benefit their members or workers in general, such as fixing a national minimum wage.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING:
An individual worker may not have the skill, time or willingness to negotiate with her or his employer. A worker is
also likely to have limited bargaining power. If she or he presses for a wage rise or an improvement in working
conditions, the employer may be able to dismiss her or him and take on someone as a replacement. Unions enable
workers to press their claims through collective bargaining. This process involves negotiations between union
officials, representing a group of workers, and representatives of employers.
THE BASIS OF WAGE CLAIMS:
There are a number of arguments, a union can put forward while asking for a wage rise. One is that the workers
deserve to be paid more because they have been working harder and have increased productivity. Another argument
is that an industry whose profits have risen can afford to pay higher wages to its workers.
This argument may be linked to the first one as the workers are likely to have contributed to the higher profits. A
third argument is known as the comparability argument. A union may argue that the workers it represents should
receive a pay rise to keep their pay in line with similar workers. For instance, a union representing nurses may press
for a wage rise if doctors are awarded higher pay.
The nurses’ union is unlikely to ask for the same pay as doctors. What is more likely is that they will seek to
maintain their wage differential. So, if before the rise of doctors’ pay, nurses received a wage that was 60% of the
doctors’ earnings, they are likely to demand a rise that will restore this differential.

A fourth argument that is often put forward is that workers need a wage rise to meet the increased cost of living. If
the price level is rising by 6%, workers will need a wage rise of at- least 6% to maintain their wage’s purchasing
power. This is sometimes referred to as maintaining their real income (income adjusted for inflation).

Trade Union According to Fliippo, A Labour Union or trade union is an organisation of workers formed to
promote, protect and improve through collective action, the social, economic and political interests of its
members. Features: - 1. It is an organisation formed by employees or workers 2. It is formed on a continuous
basis. It is a permanent body and not a casual or temporary one 3. It is formed to promote and protect all kinds of
interests – economic, political and social of its members. 4. It includes of federations of trade unions also 5. It
achieves its objectives through collective action and group effort.
Objectives of Trade Unions: Steady Employment: Employers ability to provide employment depends upon the
state of his business. Thus, through political action, through their union, workers ensure full employment. This
objective stands for enough jobs with good pay. Rationalization of personal policies: Trade Unions ensures that
management follows uniform rules and procedures in respect of decisions relating to selection, lay off, retirement,
transfer and promotion. Because it such decisions are influenced by subjective evaluation or are biased, there will
not be any security for employees. Voice in Decision Making: Trade unions ensure that decision concerning
workers are taken after discussion with the workers. For eg. Decision relating to Scale and schedule of production,
introduction of labour saving devices, shifting or relocation of factory place etc.
Objectives of Trade Unions: Recognition and participation: Another objectives that unions seek to achieve is
winning recognition from the management that the workers are equal partners with management in the task of
production. Gaining legislative enactments: to provide legal sanctions to their demands, the unions attempt to get
these framed in the form of Acts so that they become permanent features of contract. For this purpose, unions
support political parties to help them in forming these laws. Miscellaneous services: Modern trade unions also
engaged in providing educational, medical, recreational and other facilities for the development and welfare of their
members and their families, if they have sufficient fund for the same.
Functions of Trade Unions
1. Militant Functions: The chief purpose of the trade union is to ensure better conditions of work and employment.
The unions also endeavor to secure some share in productivity gains and a greater share in the management or even
control of industry. When the unions fail to accomplish these ends by the method of collective bargaining and
negotiation, they adopt agitational methods and put up a fight with the management in the form of strike, lockouts,
gheraos etc.
2. Faternal Functions: A trade union is fraternal association or a mutual benefit organisation supporting the
members out of their own funds during the period of work stoppage due to a strike or lockout. It also provides
financial assistance to the members during the period when they are unfit for work because of illness or
employment injury or when they are temporarily unemployed.
3. Political Functions: Trade Unions seek to improve the political status of the union, the leaders and the union
members. They contest political elections and try to acquire political power. In many countries, labour parties have
grown up and have been in power for eg. In UK, Labour Party has come in power.
Methods of Trade Union 1. Method of Mutual Insurance: Consists welfare activities like medical facilities,
educational loans, recreational activities, cooperative societies, credit facilities being conducted out of the funds of
trade union
2. Method of Collective Bargaining
Here Trade Union Representatives bargains with management over issues such as wages, hours of work, working
conditions, welfare facilities etc.
Methods of Trade Union 3. Method of Legal Enactment / Political Action This is done by exerting pressure for
getting progressive labour laws passed by the legislature and to get them enforced properly. For getting such laws
passed by the legislatures, union send competent representatives of the workers to the Legislative Assembly and to
Parliament. 4. Method of Direct Action: if all the above method fails, union resort to unethical practices like strikes,
gheraos, bandhs etc. which result in loss of production, wages, scarcity of resources and non-availability of goods.

Structure of Trade Unions 1. Conventions / Sessions 2. General Council (President, VP, Secretary Gen.) 3.
Provincial Bodies (State Level Chairman, Secretariats) 4. Local Bodies (Affiliating Unions)
Structure of Trade Unions – Conventions / Sessions 1. Conventions / Sessions: these are held at periodic intervals
and are highest policy making bodies. 2. Presides over by President and attended by delegates like Chairman of
State Units, Representative of Specialised Services, Legal Experts and representatives of international bodies 3.
Office bearers are also elected at such meets.
Structure of Trade Unions 2. General Council consists of President, VP, Secretary Gen. • It carries out decisions
taken at the conventions • Standing committees are set to study, analyse and recommend on following aspects: a)
Legislative Measures b) Liaison with ILO and other international bodies and analysis of their recommendations c)
Legal affair / industrial disputes / tribunal awards d) Federal Services like influencing government in enacting
labour legislations e) Membership etc.
Structure of Trade Unions 3. Provincial Bodies (State Level Chairman, Secretariats) • State Units are headed by
Chairman of State / Regional Area. • Keep close watch on faithful implementation of labour legislation and
practices • Assist / influence state govts. To pass labour legislation laws • Looks after membership of various unions
representing workers in industrial unions • Reponsible for welfare of its members
Registration of Trade Unions • Registration of Trade Union is covered under Trade Union Act, 1926. The act
provides for registration of Trade Union with Registrar who is appointed for the purpose as per sec. 3. Following
are the provisions:- 1) Any trade union with seven members may apply for registration 2) Registrar issues a
certificate of registration
Registration of Trade Unions • Conditions for registration are as following: a) Members must be aged above 15
yrs. and paying subscription b) Must have clear cut objectives, rules and regulations c) Must have office bearers
who are elected from members and at least 50 per cent of such office bearers must be from same establishment
Registration of Trade Unions d) Funds must be properly accounted for and audited e) Proper rules are made on safe
custody and expenses of funds. Money must be spent on objects like salaries of office bearers, expenses for
prosecution / defences in regard to industrial relations and other legitimate activities

Registration of Trade Unions 3) Certificate of Registration can be cancelled in the event of seizure, fraud, violation
of rules.

4) Registered union must submit annual return in the prescribed form indicating assets / liabilities etc. to the
Registrar by a prescribed date

Why People Join Trade Union

1. Security of Employment and protection against calamity of accident, death and secure social security cover after
retirement 2. Meeting Companionship and affiliation needs and improve one’s influence on management 3. To get a
common platform to air one’s views, aims, idea and feeling 4. Make use of principle of unity 5. Restrict
management action which are against the interest of workers.

Problems of Trade Unions 1. Multiplicity of unions 2. Politicalisation 3. Democracy and leadership 4. Financial
Position 5. Management Attitude 6. Statutory Support 7. Illiteracy and ignorance