Trade Union Movement in India

Trade unionism is a global phenomenon. Trade unionism's evolution and growth has been
intrinsically tied to the development of industrialisation. As a result, India's evolution of trade
unionism may be traced back to the second half of the nineteenth century. In India, there are six
stages to the trade union movement:

A. Before 1918

B. 1918-1924 (Phase B)

C. 1925-1934 (Phase C)

D. 1935-1938 (Phase D)

E. 1939-1946 (Phase E)

F. Phase F: 1947 to the Present

A. Pre-1918 Phase:

Since 1850, the establishment of textile and jute mills, as well as the laying of railways, has
paved the way for the growth of industrial activity and, with it, the labour movement in India.
The origins of the Indian labour movement can be traced back to 1860, according to some
researchers. The majority of writers on the issue, however, trace the history of India's labour
movement back to 1875.

Under the guidance and leadership of Mr. S. S. Bengalee, a social reformist and philanthropist,
the first labour agitation began in Bombay in 1875 to protest the appalling working conditions of
factory workers, particularly women and children, and to petition the authorities to pass
legislation to improve their working conditions.

As a result, in 1875, Bombay appointed the first Factory Commission, and in 1881, the first
Factories Act was passed. Mr. N. M. Lokhande is popularly considered as the founder of India's
organised labour movement, having created the country's first trade union, the Bombay Mill
Hands Association (1890). The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in India (1897), The
Printers' Union of Calcutta (1905), The Madras and Calcutta Postal Union (1907), and the
KamgarHitwardhak Sabha were among the organisations that followed (1910). All of these
unions were formed with the goal of improving worker welfare and increasing literacy.

B.1918-1924 Phase:

The 1918-1924 period is regarded as the birth year of modern trade unionism in the country. Just
after World War I ended, the trade union movement gained traction. The postwar economic and
political situations aided in the workers' reawakening of class consciousness. As a result, trade
unions in the modern sense of the term were formed.

As a result, ShrimatiAnsuyaben Sarabhai founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association

(1917); B.P. Wadia founded the Madras Labour Union (1918); Indian Seamen's Union, Calcutta
Clerk's Union; and All India Postal and RMS Association.

The following are some of the factors that influenced the growth of the trade union movement in
India during this period:

1. Workers formed trade unions in the post-World War I era to better their negotiating power
and, as a result, their living standards, as a result of spiralling costs of critical commodities.

2. The political situation in Punjab, which was defined by the home-rule struggle and martial
law, led politicians to see the workers' movement as an advantage to their cause. Workers, on the
other hand, required capable advice and leadership from politicians in order to resolve their
problems with their employers.

3. The Russian Revolution influenced the Indian labour movement, demonstrating a new social
order to the common man.

4. The establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919 gave the Indian
labour movement a major boost. Delegating representatives to the ILO was essential for India to
become a founding member of the organisation. For the first time, Mr. N. M. Joshi was assigned
to represent India at International Labour Conferences and Sessions. It sparked workers' desire to
band together. In 1920, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was created as a result of
this. By 1924, India's trade union movement had grown to include 167 organisations with a
quarter-million members.

The Early Trade Union Period is the name given to this period in the history of the labour
movement.

C. 1925-1934 Phase:

Since 1924, the signs of militant tendencies and revolutionary approaches in trade unionism have
manifested themselves in violent strikes, owing to the increasing sufferings of workers. During
this time, communists developed a foothold in the L trade union movement. With their growing
disputes with left-wing unionists, they split the Trade Union Congress twice.

Under the leadership of Mr. N. M. Joshi and Mr. V. V. Giri, the moderate section of the
Congress broke away and formed the National Trade Unions Federation (NTUF).

In 1931, at the AITUC's Calcutta session, the extreme left wing, led by Messrs S. V. Deshpande
and B. T. Randive, broke away and created the All India Red Trade Union Congress. The
National Federation of Labour was founded two years later to promote solidarity among all left-
wing labour unions.

Another significant characteristic of this time period was the enactment of two Acts, the Trade
Unions Act of 1926 and the Trade Disputes Act of 1929, both of which aided the establishment
of trade unionism in India. The previous Act allowed for voluntary registration and granted
registered unions certain rights and advantages in exchange for certain requirements. Trade
unions were to be settled under the subsequent Act. The Period of Left Wing Trade Unionism
can be regarded as a period in the Indian labour movement.

D. 1935-1938 Phase:
In 1937, the Indian National Congress had control of seven provinces. The trade unions were
pumped with unity as a result of this. As a result, the AITUC merged with the All India Red
Trade Union Congress in 1935. In 1938, the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) joined the
AITUC after three years. Other elements that led to the resurrection of trade unions included a
growing awareness of workers' rights and a shift in management attitudes toward unions.

The passing of the Bombay Industrial Disputes Act, 1938, was one of the most significant
occurrences of 1938. A significant element of the Act, among other things, requiring employers
to recognise unions, boosted the expansion of trade unionism in India.

E. 1939-1946 Phase:

World War II, like World War I, wreaked havoc on the country's industrial front. The problem of
unemployment arose as a result of post-World War II mass retrenchment. Workers were required
to join unions in order to keep their jobs. As a result, the number of registered trade unions
increased dramatically from 667 in 1939-40 to 1087 in 1945-46.

During the same period, the number of Somuchso workers in registered trade unions increased
dramatically, from 18,612 to 38,570. In 1941, the AITUC split once more when Dr.Aftab Ali,
President of the Seamen's Association of Calcutta, disaffiliated his union from the Congress and
created the "Indian Federation of Labour."

The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act of 1946 and the Bombay Industrial Relations
Act of 1946 were both significant landmarks in 1946.Both Acts contributed to the strengthening
of trade unionism in the country through their provisions.

F. 1947 to the Present:

The development of trade unions in the pattern of the proliferation of political parties has been a
defining characteristic of India's post-independence trade union history. The Indian National
Trade Union Congress (INTUC), which was controlled by the Congress Party, was founded in
May 1947 by nationalists and moderates. The AITUC has been under Communist rule since
then.

The Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) was founded in 1948 under the banner of the Praja Socialist
Party by Congress socialists who remained in AITUC at the time of the creation of INTUC.
Following that, the HMS split up with a group of socialists and founded a new organisation, the
"BhartiyaMazdoor Sabha" (BMS), which is now a Bhartiya Janata Party affiliate (B JP).Years
later, the communist party broke into separate factions, resulting in the formation of the United
Trade Union Congress (UTUC) and the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITUC) (CITU).

Later, a section broke away from the UTUC and founded a new UTUC called Lenin Sarani.
Since 1960, when regional parties began to emerge, the majority of them have displayed an
affinity for a labour union wing, contributing to the proliferation of trade unions in the country.
As a result, it is obvious that the origins and expansion of India's trade union movement are
marred by fragmented partisanship.

There are now eight central trade union organisations. There are four major federations with
national networks among these:

1. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) 

2. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

3. BhartiyaMazdoorSangh (BMS)

4. Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU)

Problems and Weaknesses of Trade Unions in India:

1. Inequitable Growth: Trade unions are concentrated in the large-scale manufacturing sector
and in major industrial cities. In the small sector, agricultural labour, and the home industry,
there is very little trade union participation. In India, trade unionism has only impacted a small
part of the working class.

2. Small Size: Most unions have a low membership, despite the fact that the number of unions
and membership is growing. The average membership is insufficient to be effective.

3. Poor Financial Position: Unions' average annual income is extremely low and insufficient.
Many users do not pay their subscriptions on time because the prices are low. Most unions are
unable to provide social programmes for their members due to their financial difficulties.

4. Political Management:Political parties and outsiders are in charge of and control trade
unions. Politicians take use of labour unions and workers for personal and political benefit.As a
result, this type of leadership is extremely destructive to India's trade union movement.

5. Union Diversity: Several unions exist in the same establishment or industry. The existence of
rival unions with opposing ideologies is much to blame for India's unhealthily growing trade
union movement. Employers have been known to foster union splits in order to weaken their
bargaining power.

6. Recognition Issues: Employers are under no duty to recognise any union.

7. Lack of Paid Office-Bearers: Paid office-bearers are rare in most unions. Honorary union
volunteers dedicate only a little amount of time and energy to union activities. The main reasons
for this state of affairs include a lack of adequate knowledge and skill among union officers, as
well as a weak financial position and political leadership.

8. Member Apathy:The majority of workers are uninterested in union operations. The

attendance at union general meetings is extremely low.

9. Employer opposition:Employers in India are often hostile to trade unions. Many companies
attempt to coerce or victimise labour leaders, organise rival unions, and bribe union officials, all
of which serve to defeat the very goals for which they were formed.
10. Inter-Union Rivalry: There is rivalry between different unions. Unions aim to put each
other down in order to obtain more clout among employees. Employers profit from internal
strife. Interunion rivalry reduces the effectiveness of workers in securing their legitimate rights
and weakens the power of collective bargaining.