Relevance: Mains: G.S paper II: Polity: Governance: pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. & Sociology: Politics and Society:(a) Sociological theories of power. (b) Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
What are trade/labour unions?
DEFINITION
A trade union can be defined as an organised association of workers in a trade or profession, formed to further their rights and interests. In India, Trade Unions in India are registered under the Trade Union Act (1926).
Trade unions are interested in the economic and social welfare of the workers. Labour unions may also have political interests in the larger society.
Phase wise Growth of labour unions in India:
Growth of Trade union movement in India was an organic process. It started towards the tail end of the nineteenth century and continues to date. It closely follows the development of Industry in India.
In India, now there are more than 16,000 trade unions with a collective membership of around 1 crore (10 million) labourers.
The growth of labour unions in India can be roughly classified into six phases.
The rise of the labour movement in India: Pre-1918:
After the setting up of textile and jute mills coupled with the laying of railways in the 1850s, worker atrocities started to come to light.
Though the origin of labour movements was traced to the 1860s, first labour agitation in the history of India occurred in Bombay, 1875. It was organised under the leadership of S.S Bengalee. It concentrated on the plight of workers, especially women and children. This led to the appointment of the first Factory commission, 1875. Consequently, the first factories act was passed in 1881.
In 1890, M.N Lokhande established Bombay Mill Hands Association. This was the first organised labour union in India.
Following this, different organisations were established across India.
Features of the labour movements in this era:
- Leadership was provided by social reformers and not by the workers themselves.
- The movements in this era mainly concentrated on the welfare of workers rather than asserting their rights.
- They were organised, but there was no pan India presence.
- A strong intellectual foundation or agenda was missing.
- Their demands revolved around issues like that of women and children workers.
The early trade union phase: 1918-1924:
This period marked the birth of true trade union movement in India. It was organised along the lines of unions in the industrialised world.
The deteriorated living conditions caused by the first world war and the exposure with the outside world resulted in heightened class consciousness amongst the workers. This provided fertile ground to the development of the movement. This period is known as the early trade union period.
Important unions: Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (1917) led by Smt. Anasuyaben Sarabhai, All India Postal and RMS Association, Madras Labour Union led by B.P Wadia etc.
AITUC, the oldest trade union federation in India was set up in 1920. It was founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, Joseph Baptista, N.M Joshi and Diwan Chaman Lall. Lajpat Rai was elected the first president of AITUC.
Factors that influenced the growth of the movement:
- Spiralling prices during War and the mass entrenchment of workers that followed it led to low living standards. Also, the wretched working conditions added to their woes. Hence, they sought collective bargaining power through unionisation.
- Development of Home Rule, the emergence of Gandhian leadership and the socio-political conditions led to the nationalist leadership taking interest in the worker’s plight. Workers, in turn, was looking for professional leadership and guidance.
- Russian revolution and other international developments (like setting up of International Labour Organisation in 1919) boosted their morale.
Period of left-wing trade unionism: 1925-1934:
This era was marked by increasing militancy and a revolutionary approach. It also saw multiple split-ups in the movement. Leaders like N.M Joshi and V.V Giri was instrumental in moderating the movement and further integrating it with the nationalist mainstream.
AITUC split up multiple times paving way for the formation of organisations like National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and All India Red Trade Union Congress (AIRTUC). However, the need for unity was felt and they all merged with the AITUC in the next phase.
The government was also receptive to the trade union movement. Legislations like the Trade Unions Act, 1926 and the Trade Disputes Act, 1929 gave a fillip to its growth. It bestowed many rights to the unions in return for certain obligations. This period was marked by the dominance of the left. Hence, it may be referred to as the period of left-wing trade unionism.
The Congress interregnum: 1935-1938:
This phase was marked by greater unity between different unions. Indian National Congress was in power in most of the provinces by 1937. This led to more and more unions coming forward and getting involved with the nationalist movement. In 1935, AIRTUC merged with AITUC. Different legislations were passed by provincial governments that gave more power and recognition to the trade unions.
The approach of Congress ministries was that of promoting worker interests while protecting industrial peace. Reconciliation of labour with capital was seen as an aim, with ministries working towards securing wage rise and better living conditions. However, many ministries treated strikes as law and order issues. They used colonial machinery to suppress it. This led to considerable resentment from the unions.
Period of labour activism: 1939-1946:
The Second World War lowered standard of living for the workers further and this led to the strengthening of the movement. The question of war effort created a rift between the Communists and the Congress. This, coupled with other issues, led to further split in the movement. However, the movement as a whole got stronger due to the compounding issues. This included mass entrenchment post-war and the massive price rise that accompanied it.
Legislations like Industrial Employment Act, 1946 and Bombay Industrial Relations Act, 1946 contributed to strengthening the trade union movement. In general, the movements got more vocal and involved in the national movement.
Post-independence trade unionism: 1947-present:
It was marked by the proliferation of unions. INTUC was formed in May 1947 under the aegis of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Since then, the AITUC has come to be dominated by the Communists. Hind Mazdoor Sabha was formed in 1948 under the banner of Praja Socialist Party. Later on, it came under the influence of Socialists. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh was founded in 1955 and is currently affiliated to the BJP.
Post-independence, trade unions became increasingly tied with party politics. Rise of regional parties has led to a proliferation in their numbers with each party opting to create its trade union. However, their influence has been somewhat reduced after the liberalisation post-1991. Issues like labour code reforms and minimum wage remains a political hot potato due to the opposition from the trade union leadership.
Post-independence, India has also witnessed different unions coming together to address a common issue. These include the crippling railway strike of 1974 and the Great Bombay textile strike, 1982. However, such strikes are seen to get less public support post-1991. There is also an increased focus on informal labour. This is due to the particularly vulnerable situation of unorganised labour. All major trade unions have registered an increase in their membership from the unorganised sector.
CHALLENGES: Post Independence
- Uneven growth: They are concentrated in the metropolises, largely catering to organised sector. Rural Agricultural labour and small scale labour are grossly underrepresented.
- Low membership: Trade union membership is growing, but the vast majority of India’s labour is not part of any trade unions. This reduces their collective bargaining power.
- Weak financial position: Membership fees are set too low (25 paise) by the Trade Union Act, 1926. They are particularly disadvantaged against corporate lobbying groups that are flush with cash.
- Political leadership: Careerist politicians and vested political agenda mean that worker interests are sidelined. Since the leadership may not be from the labour force, they are held captive to party politics. This lead to further exploitation.
- The multiplicity of unions: Bargaining power is diluted and it is easy for employers to divert the attention of the labour.
- Inter-union rivalry: There are conflicts of interest and party politics between the unions.
- The problem of recognition: Employers are under no obligation to give them recognition. This means that docile unions get recognition and genuine ones may be sidelined.
- Diverse nature of labour: Most unions don’t have properly differentiated organisational structure to cater to different classes of labour. Eg: Differences between agricultural, formal and informal labour.
- Lack of public support: Especially post 1991, trade unionism is looked down as an impediment to growth and development. This has led to a general ebbing of the movement across the country.
Major Labour Unions and their Political Affiliation
- All India Trade Union Congress – Communist Party of India.
- Indian National Trade Union Congress – Indian National Congress.
- Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh – Bharatiya Janata Party.
- Centre for Indian Trade Unions – CPI(M).
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha – Samajwadi Party.
- Self Employed Women’s Association – Unaffiliated.
The Significance of Trade unions in a Capitalist Society
India’s decisive shift towards market-led growth post-1991 has raised a lot of questions about the role of labour unions. Often, they are seen as an impediment to industrialisation and investment. However, their role is indispensable in balancing workers’ interests with that of investors. They also keep a check on the sustainability of business practices, including ethics.
Hence, they play an important role in getting support for worker interests from the larger society. They also mobilise opinions in favour of labour. They are also instrumental in organising democratic protests and avoid movements getting overly militaristic. Democratic trade unionism is also a must in avoiding workers coming under the influence of radical and anti-national elements. This is particularly important in the environment of rising socio-economic inequality post liberalisation.
Ease of Doing Business vs Competitiveness of the labour market
The Government of India is focussed attract investments by making the nation business-friendly.
India had moved 14 places to be 63rd among 190 nations in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rank 2020. However, it failed to achieve the government’s target of being at 50th place.
The competitiveness of its labour market is a major area of worry where India is currently ranked 103 out of 141 countries by the World Economic Forum.
Labour Reforms
There are numerous labour laws in India – more than 40. As part of labour reform initiatives, the labour ministry has decided to amalgamate 44 labour laws into four labour codes — on wages, industrial relations, social security and safety, health and working conditions.
These are a slew of legislation aimed at reforming and simplifying the labour law regime in the country. According to the government, all major labour unions were consulted in the process.
The plan is to replace 44 labour laws that dealt with different issues with four comprehensive bills. With this, we will have just four simplified laws in place of these laws.
The New Labour Codes – The Proposed 4 Bills
The new 4 codes will deal with wages, social security, industrial safety and welfare, and industrial relations.
Labour Code on wages
Code on wages will subsume legislations like The Minimum Wages Act, the Payment of Wages Act, the Payment of Bonus Act, the Equal Remuneration Act. It aims to provide a national floor for minimum wage. It also has provisions to consider regional variations like geography, economy etc.
Labour Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions
Code on Industrial safety and welfare will replace legislations like the Factories Act, the Mines Act and the Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act. This will put in place a uniform regime across the nation to ensure industrial safety.
Labour Code on Industrial Relations
The Labour Code on Industrial Relations will combine the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The focus here is to set the stage for the way labour unions can protect labour interests. It also seeks to abolish deadlocks and promote worker welfare while promoting investment.
Labour Code on social security
Code on social security will merge important legislations like Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Act, Maternity Benefits Act, Building and Other Construction Workers Act and the Employees’ Compensation Act
Note: The Labour Code on Wages was approved by Parliament in August while the Labour Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions have been referred to the standing committee on labour.
Conclusion
A vibrant and responsible trade union environment is the requisite for inclusive growth to any economy. It checks growing inequality and falling living conditions of the working class.
Recent years has seen an erosion of powers of most labour unions. Though labour reforms are the need of the hour, every reform should strike a perfect balance between labour welfare and investment-led development.
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