Trade Union Movement in India: Aims and Objectives

This Article overall talks about the Trade Union Movement in India- its Aim and Objectives.

The article starts with an introduction- At Trade Union is an Organized group who strives to assist the workers within the issues referring to the fairness of pay, good working environment, hours of effort, and other well-being that they ought to be entitled to entitled rather than their labor. Then it talks about what the Trade Union is. How the Movement started. Types of Trade Union such as- Craft Union, Industrial Union, General Union, Federation. Towards the end, the article talks about the Aim and the main objective of the Trade Union Movement and is concluded by the Unfair Labour Practice and the practice by not involving employees in any decision making resulted in the formation of Trade Union in India and its recognition by the court of law.

Introduction[1]

A Trade Union is an organized group of workers who strive to assist the workers within the issues referring to the fairness of pay, good working environment, hours of effort, and other well-being that they ought to be entitled to entitled rather than their labor. They act as a connection between the management and workers. Despite being newly originated institutions, they have turned into a string force because of their direct influence on the social and economic lives of the workers. To regulate and manage the working of the trade unions different legislations regulating the same required. In India Trade Unions Act of 1926 is a principal Act for controlling and managing the working of trade unions.

What is Trade Union?[2]

A Trade Union is an organization that is made members who are the workers. The foremost aim of a trade union is to guard and advance the interests of their members. The activities of a trade union like securing a pay rise benefits to all the workers in the workplace, not only those who are members of the union. To go beyond a particular workplace, the campaigning and lobbying work that trade unions can help by changing laws within the whole country and to attain new rights for workers. In doing this, a strong trade union movement benefits all workers within the country. Most trade unions in the UK are independent of any employer.

Trade Unions Undertake Subsequent Activities

  • To negotiate agreements with the employers on pay and conditions;
  • To discuss paramount changes in the workplace like large scale redundancy;
  • To discuss their members’ concerns with employers;
  • To accompany their members in disciplinary and grievance meetings;
  • To provide their members with legal and financial advice.

Employers who recognize the rights of a particular union to represent its workforce will negotiate union over members’ pay and conditions. This also can be known as ‘Collective bargaining’.

What is the Trade Union Movement?[3]

The Trade Union Movement in India was started with the formation of the Bombay Mill Hands Association in 1890 by N.K. Lokhands. In 1897, Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, Printers Union of Calcutta in 1905, Madras, and Calcutta postal Unions 1907 were the other associations formed within the beginning of this movement.

These were no trade unions in the true sense but rather social organizations. The foremost aim of these organizations was to encourage welfare activities and spread literacy among workers.

Several unions like Indian Seamen’s Union at Calcutta and Bombay, Punjab Press Employees’ Association, Madras Textile Labour Union, Railway Workers’ Unions were formed to improve the conditions of labor.

Several Nationalist Leaders like C.R. Das, Moti Lal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, V.V. Giri, S.A. Dange, S.V. Ghate, a number of them to say, were associated themselves with the Trade Union Movement.

In 1920 All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed under the leadership of Lala Lajpat Rai. By 1926-1927, workers and peasants parties sprang up, and in 1928; various local units of those parties were united altogether into All India Workers and Peasants Party. The formation of this union gave impetus to left thinking and lots of unions opted for left-wing leadership.

There was a split in All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and All India Trade Union Federation (AITUF) was formed under N.M. Joshi. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) had another split in 1931 and Red Trade Union Congress (RTUC) was formed by B.T. Ranadive and S.V. Deshpande. In 1935 RTUC merged into AITUC. After nine years of split NTUF also merged with AITUC (1940) making it again a sole representative of the organized labor.

What are the main types of Trade Unions?[4]

There are four types of main Trade Unions-

1. Craft Union

2. Industrial Union

3. General Union

4. Federation

Craft Union

The workers belonging to the same craft, specialized skill, or same occupation can form their trade union irrespective of industry or trade they are employed. For instance, mechanists working in different industries may form a union of mechanists only. Within the same way electricians, carpenters, and turners may form their separate unions.

Therefore, craft unions are open to members of a particular trade/skill, like Air India Navigator’s unions and Indian Pilots Guild. The main drawback of this union is that during a strike in craft union, the entire working of the organization paralyze because the workers of this union cannot be easily replaced by other workers. Their unions generally oppose technological advances within the organization.

Industrial Union

The workers based on an industry can form unions irrespective of their craft. For instance, if the entire workforce of a cement industry decides to form a union consisting of workers of various craft; the union is called an industrial union. Therefore, an industrial union is open to the members of workers of a factory-like Girni Kamgar Union at Bombay.

This type of union encourages workers solidarity and makes negotiations easy because a single agreement covers all workers of a particular industry. One major drawback of this type of union is that the skilled workers in it feel that their specific demands are not scientifically taken care of.

General Union

This type is open to all members irrespective of their craft and industry within a particular city or region. For example, Jamshedpur Labour Union, whose membership includes workers engaged in different industries and crafts of Jamshedpur. In this case, there is no distinction between skilled and unskilled workers.

Federation

These are national-level apex bodies in which plant-level unions, craft unions, industrial unions, and general unions are affiliated. Coordinating the affairs of various unions in their fold.

Aim of the Trade Union Movement[5]

The purpose of these unions is to consider the grievances of wagers and present a collective voice ahead of the management. Hence, it acts as a means of communication between workers and management.

Regulation of relations, settlement of grievances, raising new demands on behalf of workers, collective bargaining, and negotiations are the altogether opposite key principle functions that these trade unions perform.

The Indian Trade Union Act, 1926, is the principal act which has the command to manage the method of trade unions. In India, political lines and ideologies influence trade union movements. This can be a rationale why today political parties are forming and running trade unions.

Objectives of Trade Union Movement[6]

The primary objective of Trade Unions is to promote and safeguard the interests of its members. Besides a trade union has also to accomplish certain social responsibilities.

There are 11 important Objectives of Trade Union-

 1. To manage terms and conditions of employment

 2. To enhance the working conditions at the workplace.

 3. To lift the living standards of workers.

 4.  To shield the workers by the exploitation of management.

 5. To assist in the maintenance of discipline of organization/industry

 6.  To make sure the proper implementation of personnel and welfare policies.

 7. To switch managerial dictatorship by worker’s democracy

 8. To determine industrial peace by improving employees’ and employers’ relations.

 9. To act as the best negotiator machinery.

10. To safeguard the interest of the organisation and organizational health.

11. In a very broader sense, to shield the interests and welfare of workers.

Objectives of Trade Union in India are-

1.  All-India Trade Union Congress-

The most important year within the history of the Indian Trade Union Movement is 1920, when the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed, consequent upon the requirement of electing delegates for the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This is often the primary All-India Trade Union within the country.

The first meeting of the AITUC was held in October 1920 at Bombay under the Presidentship of Lala Lajpat Rai. Formation of AITUC led to the establishment of the All-India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) in 1922. Many company Railway Unions were affiliated with that. Signs of Militant Tendency and revolutionary ideas were apparent during this era.

2. Indian National Trade Union Congress-

The efforts of the Indian National Congress resulted in the establishment of the Indian National Trade Congress (INTUC) by bringing the split within the AITUC. INTUC started gaining membership from its inception itself.

3. Other Central Unions-

Socialists separated from AITUC had formed Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) in 1948. The Indian Federation of Labour merged with the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS). Radicals formed another union under the name of the United Trade Union Congress in 1949. Thus, the Trade Union Movement within the country was separated into four distinct central unions during the short span of 1946 to 1949.

Some other central unions were also formed. They are Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in 1955. The Hind Mazdoor Panchayat (HMP) in 1965, The Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) in 1970. Thus, the faction of INTUC formed trade union the split in the Congress particularly in 1969 resulted within the split in INTUC and led to the formation of the National Labour Organisation (NLO).

I. Hind Mazdoor Sabha-

The objectives of Hind Mazdoor Sabha are-

(i) To organize and promote the establishment of a democratic socialist society in India and to further the economic, political, social and cultural interests of the Indian working class;

(ii) To supply full opportunities for the development of the mental and physical personality of the workers;

(iii) To strive for getting a living wage to all workers;

(iv) To ensure work to every worker;

(v) To induce full social safety measures and comprehensive medical treatment  introduced by the industry for workers;

(vi) To urge adequate leisure for the workers within the form of reasonable hours of labor and holidays with pay;

(vii) To rearrange for adequate housing facilities;

(viii) To rearrange for the introduction of free and compulsory education and facilities for vocational guidance;

(ix) To induce effective recognition of; the proper collective bargaining;

(x) To cooperate with other organizations within the country and outside, having similar aims and

(xi) To secure and maintain for workers freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and therefore the right to strike.

II. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh-

The objectives of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh are-

(i) “To establish the Bharatiya order of a classless society during which there shall be secured full employment; replacement of profit motive by service and establishment; of economic democracy; development of autonomous industrial communities with each one of them consisting of all the individuals connected with the industry as partners”;

(ii) To help the workers in organizing themselves in trade unions as a medium of service to the motherland no matter faiths and political affinities;

(iii) The right to strike, and

(iv) To inculcate within the minds of the workers the spirit of service, cooperation, and dutifulness and develop in them a perception of responsibility towards the country in general and the industry in particular.

III. Hind Mazdoor Panchayat-

The objectives of Hind Mazdoor Panchayat are-

(i) “To organize and promote the establishment of a democratic socialist society in India and to further the economic, political, social and cultural interests of the Indian working class”;

(ii) To provide full opportunities for the development of the mental and physical personality of the workers

(iii) To strive for getting a living wage to all workers;

(iv) To ensure work to every worker:

(v) To urge full social safety measures and comprehensive medical care introduced by the industry

(vi) To urge leisure for the workers within the variety of reasonable hours of labor and holiday with pay;

(vii) To rearrange for adequate housing facilities;

(viii) To rearrange for the introduction of free and compulsory education and facilities for vocational guidance;

(ix) To induce recognition of the right of collective bargaining;

(x) To cooperate with other organizations within the country and outside having similar aims and objects; and

(xi) To secure and maintain for workers freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and therefore the right to strike.

IV. UTC-

The objectives of the UTC are-

(i) To determine a socialist society in India;

(ii) To ascertain workers and peasants State in India;

(iii) To nationalize and socialize about the means of production, distribution, and exchange;

(iv) To safeguard and promote the interests, rights, and privileges of the workers in all matters, social, cultural, economic and political;

(v) To secure and maintain workers’ freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, right to strike, right to work or maintenance and also the right to social safety, and

(vi) To bring out unity within the Trade Union Movement.

V. National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU)-

The objectives of the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) are-

(i) To organize and unite trade unions with the object to increase up a National Central Organisation of trade unions, independent of political parties, employers and also the government, to further the explanation of labor which is of national solidarity, security, and defense of India, and to make the working people aware of their rights yet as well as of obligations altogether spheres of life;

(ii) To secure to members of trade unions full facilities of recognition and effective representation of interest of workers and to confirm for the working people fair conditions of life and service and progressively to lift their social, economic and cultural state and conditions;

(iii) To assist in every possible way member trade unions in their fight to boost real wages of the workers; and

(iv) To endeavor to secure for members of affiliated trade unions adoption of progressive legislation for his or her welfare and to make sure the effective enforcement of the rights and interests of members of affiliated trade unions and for the working people in general.

The policies of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) are-

(i) The CITU believes that the exploitation of the labor class is often ended only by socializing all means of production, distribution, and exchange and establishing a socialist state, that is. It stands for the entire release of the society from all exploitation.

(ii) The CITU fights against all encroachments on the economic and social rights of the workers and therefore the enlargement of their rights and liberties including the proper right to strike, for winning defending and increasing the liberty of the democratic Trade Union Movement.

(iii) In the fight for the immediate interest of the working class, the CITU demands-

(a) Nationalization of all foreign monopoly concerns who exploit the working class;

(b) Nationalization of all concerns owned by Indian monopolists and large industry which garner huge profits at the expense of the workers, who exploit the people by pegging prices at a high level and who dictate the anti-labor and anti-people policies of the Government.

(iv) The CITU fights against the repressive policy of the Government towards the democratic and Trade Union Movement; it policy against its economic policy of safeguarding the interests of capitalists and landlords and piling burdens of the common man and the working class through increasing taxation and inflation.

It fights for replacing this present middle-class landlord regime with a democratic regime. It finally adheres to the position that no social transformation is often caused without class-struggle and shall constantly repel attacks to require the labor class along the path of class-collaboration.

Conclusion[7]

Unfair Labour Practice and the practice by not involving employees in any decision making resulted in the formation of the Trade Union in India and its recognition by the court of law. The notion of Social Justice and Industrial Peace can only be achieved by the cooperation of employers and employees and that is why Trade Unions play a very important role in achieving industrial peace and serving overall justice to employees.

There are various contexts during which employee should be exempted from the arbitrary decisions of employers like wages, bonus, working hour, holidays, this exemption can only be achieved by negotiation named as collective bargaining where the interest of both parties is given priorities in any kind of dispute, the origin of trade union clarifies the struggle behind the formation of trade unions in India, further the continuous division within the Trade Union at National Level led to the less implementation of objective they frame before formation. One of the causes can also be traced within the sort of legislation. During this regard, nowadays there are only two essentials which have been satisfied to ascertain Trade Union that is a substantial number of workers and matter of dispute have substantial nexus with workers but the representation isn’t the only task which is to be done, for the aim of negotiation and complete management the skill of bargaining is required which commonly lacks within the common workers of the industry as they lack in education and awareness.

References

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ques 1- What is the Trade Union Movement?

Ans 1- A Trade Union is an organization that is made members who are the workers. The foremost aim of a trade union is to guard and advance the interests of their members. The activities of a trade union like securing a pay rise benefits to all the workers in the workplace, not only those who are members of the union.

Ques 2- What are the 4 types of Trade Union?

Ans 2- (1) Craft Union, (2) Industrial Union, (3) General Union, (4) Federation

Ques 3- What is the Aim of the Trade Union?

Ans 3- The purpose of these unions is to consider the grievances of wagers and present a collective voice ahead of the management. Hence, it acts as a means of communication between workers and management.

Ques 4- Who was involved in the Trade Union Movement?

Ans 4- Das, Moti Lal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, V.V. Giri, S.A. Dange, S.V. Ghate, some of them to mention, associated themselves with the trade union movement. In 1920 All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed under the leadership of Lala Lajpat Rai.

Ques 5- What are the main objectives of the Trade Union Movement of India?

  • Ans 5- The main objective of the Trade Union Movement of India are-
  • All-India Trade Union Congress
  • Indian National Trade Union Congress
  • Other Central Unions


[1] https://blog.ipleaders.in/trade-unions-act-1926/

[2] https://www.striking-women.org/module/rights-and-responsibilities/claiming-rights-role-trade-unions-uk

[3] https://www.businessmanagementideas.com/trade-unions/trade-union-movement-in-india-workers-human-resource-management/17273#:~:text=The%20trade%20union%20movement%20in,Lokhands.&text=These%20were%20no%20trade%20unions,and%20spread%20literacy%20among%20workers.

[4] https://www.businessmanagementideas.com/trade-unions/types-of-trade/20341#:~:text=Types%20of%20Trade%20Unions%20%E2%80%93%204,unions%20fight%20for%20workers’%20rights.

[5] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/Trade-Union

[6] https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/trade-unions/objectives-of-trade-union/31777

[7] http://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-193-role-of-trade-unions-in-india.html

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