TRADE UNION IN INDIA - HISTORY

Trade Union in India is the primary instrument for promoting the union of trade union movement and championing the cause of working class in India. The Madras Labour Union was the first organized Trade Union in India followed by a large number of trade unions in the Indian industrial centers. The Indian government passed the Trade Unions Act in 1926, which legalized the registered Trade Union in India. The Act also gives protection to these trade unions against certain civil and criminal cases. The Trade Union in India is engaged in protesting against the attacks on trade union right, right to strike, right to collective bargaining, reduction of social security, closure of industrial units and massive retrenchment of workers, and the endangering growth of unemployment.

The emergence of trade unionism is spontaneous and inherent in the growth of capitalism. The origin of trade unionism lies in the industrial revolution, which disrupted the older way of life and created a new society forged by the shop, the factory, the mine and the industry. wherever a union exists, top management cannot take unilateral decisions. Management has to consult the union representatives while taking various decisions affecting labour such as wages, lay-off, transfer, discharge, etc. A trade union puts restriction on the discretion of employers for taking decisions involving welfare of employees. In certain organisations, unions have become so strong that they affect every aspect of management.

Trade unions in India The Indian workforce consists of 430 million workers, growing 2% annually. The Indian labor markets consist of three sectors: 1. The rural workers, who constitute about 60 per cent of the workforce.

2. Organized sector, which employs 8 per cent of workforce, and

3. The urban informal sector (which includes the growing software industry and other services, not included in the formal sector) which constitutes the rest 32 per cent of the workforce.

At present there are twelve Central Trade Union Organizations in India: 1. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

2. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)

3. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)

4. Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP)

5. Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)

6. Indian Federation of Free Trade Unions (IFFTU)

7. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

8. National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU)

9. National Labor Organization (NLO)

10. Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC)

11. United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) and

12. United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani (UTUC - LS)

Problems & weaknesses of Trade Unions

The trade unionism in India is characterised by uneven growth, both industry-wise and area-wise. Trade unions are popular in big industries and the degree of unionisation varies widely from industry to industry. Besides, trade union activities are concentrated in a few states and in bigger industrial centers mainly due to concentration of industries in those places. Limited Membership. The number

of trade unions in India has increased considerably. But this has been followed by the declining membership per union. Multiplicity of Unions. There exist several trade unions in the same establishment. The multiplicity of unions is the result of outside leadership and labour laws. The law permits and gives sanctity to small unions. Any seven persons can form a union under the Trade Unions Act, 1926. This Act confers rights on such a union. It is allowed under the Act to raise disputes, file suits, go to conciliation and even bargain with employers. Therefore, small sections of workers are encouraged to form separate Unions. There is no restriction on the number of unions to be registered in one establishment. Outside Leadership. Trade unions in India are led largely by people who themselves are not workers. These outsiders are politicians, intellectuals and professionals having no experience of work in industry. Outsiders continue to dominate the trade unions to advance their personal interests.

FUTURE OF TRADE UNIONS IN INDIA

Trade Unions Future role Future unions should be encourage to make a thrust towards the psychological & social well being of the workers some important areas Communication, counseling, educations, training, welfare, family & vocational guidance, research. Some obstacles in the future growth of trade unions Our trade union are not so developed as in the western countries due to following reasons.:- - Outside leadership - Low membership - Uneven growth of trade unions Absence - Weak financial position - Lack of interest - Lack of public support - Limited stress on welfare - Lack of knowledge among workers of industrial practices in comparable organizations complexities - Multiplicity of trade union. How to remove obstacles in future growth of trade unions? - Development - Co-ordination economic & social benefits - Improvement in financial growth - Cultural activities - Discipline Motivation - Education and communication, counseling Conclusion: Perfect recognition of unions will make them more effective