The development of industries in the second part of the nineteenth century and the subsequent need to safeguard interests, express collective requests, and address concerns of industrial workers led to the birth of trade unions. The Unions were established in the second part of the 19th century, but despite their limitations in terms of their ability to act as trade unions, they were nonetheless successful social unions that presented requests collectively with a focus on fixing the problems. There are currently more than 16,000 trade unions in India, with a total membership of over 1 crore (10 million) workers.
History of the Labor Unions:
There are generally six stages in the development of labor unions in India.
1st Stage (1875-1918):
- The first worker was “Sasipada Banarjee,” a Brahmo Samaj adherent.
- In 1870, Sasipada Banarjee founded the “Working men’s club” in Calcutta.
- The journal “Bharat Shramjeevi” was published by Sasipada Banarjee.
- The Mumbai Mill Workers Association was founded by Jyotiba Phule associate N.M. Lokhande, who also produced the magazine “Dinbandhu”.
- First factory statute approved in 1881 and first factory commission constituted in Bombay in 1875.
- The Factory Act of 1891 was approved, and the second factory commission was established.
- The “Royal Commission on Labor” was founded in 1892.
- Combined Society of Railway Employees it was established in India in 1897 and was influenced by Michael Thomas’ 1872 Amalgamated organization of railway workers of the United Kingdom.
- Kamgar Hitvardhak Sabha was established in 1909 by “S.K. Bole”.
- The “Printer’s Union” was founded in Calcutta in 1905.
2nd Stage (1918-24):
- B.P.Wadia, a founder of the Mardras Labor Union and a member of Annie Besant’s Home Rule League, founded it in 1918.
- Chelvapathi and G.R. Naidu were also instrumental in the creation of the Mardras Labor Union.
- The “Mardras Labor Union” was India’s first modern-style trade union. In the 1880s, Dwarka Nath Gangly began a well-known campaign against the working conditions on tea plantations.
- Ahmedabad Textile Labor Association, popularly known as Majdur Mahajan, was created by M.K. Gandhi.
- A.A. Alve and G.K. Kasle established “Girni Kamgar Mahamandal” in Bombay.
- During the second stage, employees demanded pay raises, bonus payments, a rice allowance, a decrease in working hours, and additional vacations.
- Another crucial aspect of trade unionism was its failure to advance in well-established manufacturing sectors like mining and jute, but it thrived and persisted among people who were referred to as “white coloured laborer’s.”
3rd Stage (1924-34):
- By 1925, communist influence had grown greatly.
- Communists created a potent platform in 1928 to take seats during the electronic airing of AITV.
- B.D. Kulkarni, a member of the communist party, and Jawahar Lal Nehru, a member of the opposition, both ran for president.
- To investigate the working conditions in factories and plantations during Lord Irwin’s viceroyalty, the “Royal Commission of Labors” was established in 1929 under the leadership of J.H. Whitley (retried Speaker of the House of Commons).
- Splitting happened at the 1929 ALTUC meeting under Jawahar Lal Nehru over the question of supporting or opposing the boycott of the royal commission on labor.
- Reformers referred to themselves as the Geneva Amsterdam Group and sought membership in the International Federation of Trade Unions.
- Affiliation with the Red Labor Union is sought by the Revolution or Muscovite group.
- A member of the Pan-Pacific Secretariat was ALTUC.
- N.M. Joshi left ALTUC in protest and established the “All India Trade Union Federation” in 1929 with V.V. Giri as its leader.
- In ALTUC, another spill took place in 1931. At the conclusion of this time, attempts were made to bring together numerous Trade Unions under the leadership of M.N. Roy and his followers, who founded “Red Tuc”.
- N.M. Joshi and R.R. Bakhle created the “National Trade Union Federation” in 1933, and important developments including the trade union legislation happened at this time, 1926 was the year.
4th Stage (1935-39):
- Provincial congress ministries had embraced a strategy to maintain industrial peace by establishing basic standards of life rather than by outlawing labor unions.
- the Government of India Act of 1935
- There were identified labor constituencies.
- offering a place for a labor representative from labor groups.
- The ILO recommended that companies should be cooperative rather than antagonistic toward unions.
- Combining AITUC with Red Tuc.
5th Stage (1939-45):
- In 1941, M.N. Roy established the “Radical Democratic party.”
- The “Indian Bolshevik Leninist party” was established by Ajit Roy and Indrasen in 1941.
- World War II had started.
- Production in industry rose.
The number of strikes decreased as a result of several factories, including:
- Communist officials were in favor of war and opposed to strikes.
- Other trade union divisions lacked the ideal leaders to direct the campaign.
- Employers’ attitudes weren’t unfriendly.
- Under the Defense of India Rules, the Indian government seized the authority to put an end to strikes and to send any disputes for resolution.
6th Stage (1945-47):
- Trade unionism grew during this time as a result of political decay in the nation.
- Each political party sought to establish a presence inside the labor movement.
- An other important aspect was the rise in the number of women joining unions.
- Bombay, Bengal, Madras, and Uttar Pradesh all experienced an upsurge in the number of strikes.
- The Industrial Conflict Act of 1947 was adopted.
Conclusion:
An workplace with strong and responsible trade union culture is essential for an economy that wishes to grow inclusively. It stops the spread of inequality and the decline in working-class standards of living. The majority of labor unions’ power has been eroding lately. Despite the pressing need for labor reform, any reform must precisely balance worker welfare and investment-driven development. There is widespread agreement that trade unions are crucial to the development of our country, particularly in the fields of industry and social welfare. Our thriving economy is based on democratic ideals and is distinguished by a setting that provides expression to the genuine concerns and aspirations of labor unions while protecting investor interests and facilitating ease of doing business.