Page 222 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Unit 13: Industrial Relations

13.5.6 Weaknesses of the Trade Union Movement in India Notes

In India, the first union was established in Bombay (called the Bombay Mills Hands associations)
in 1890. Trade unions were born of the necessity of the workers to protect and defend themselves
from encroachment injustice and wrong. At present, there are more than 43,000 registered
workers union and 10 central labour organizations in India. The functions and roles of trade
unions have been changing steadily especially after independence. Total membership in central
unions is more than 60 lakh today. The functions of trade union involve not only protecting and
improving wages and conditions of labour but they concern themselves with all matters by
which the workers are likely to be affected. In spite of its social and legal importance trade
unionism has suffered for a considerable period and is still suffering to a certain extent from a
number of problems, which include:
1. Many unions have concentrated in metropolitan centres where large scale industries are
located.
2. Loose and amorphous nature of trade union organizations, casteism, regionalism and
linguism, which have dangerously divided the workers into various heterogeneous groups,
resulting in intra-union rivalries and hostile attitude towards employers.
3. Under the influence of historical and institutional factors and developments in the socio-
economic and political field trade, unions have become highly political in nature. It has
significantly weakened the trade union movement itself.
4. Small membership and unsuccessful strikes have rendered trade unions unproductive and
redundant.
5. The attitude of employer is not positive towards trade union. For several decades employer
have been intimidating and victimizing labour leaders, promoting rival unions, bribing
union officials and have exploited them in taking advantage of communal factors.

Notes Origin, Growth and Development of Trade Unions in India
The origin, growth and development of trade unions in India is divided into six parts:
1. From 1875 to 1918: The history of trade unions in India started from 1875 when an
agitation was started under the leadership of Sorabji and Shaparji in Bombay to
draw the attention of government to the deplorable condition of women and children
workers in Indian industries. As a result of this agitation, the Bombay Factory
Commission was established in the same year.

The ground for the origin of trade unions started from the establishment of first
cotton mill in Bombay in 1854 and first jute mill in Bengal in 1855. From these mills,
the area of Indian factories increased in number the working condition began to
deteriorate day by day.
In 1890, the Bombay Mills Hinds Association was establishment by Mr. N.M.
Lokhande. Mr. Lokhande organized a meeting of over 10,000 workers in Bombay.
As a result of this meeting, several demands of workers were presented to the
employers and accepted by the mill owners. Mr. Lokhande started a newspaper to
educate the workers. This paper was known as Din Bandhu.
In 1897, the Amalgamated Society of Railway Workmen of India was established
and registered under the Companies Act. It was the first registered trade union in
the history of India.
Contd...

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