Page 137 - DMGT516_LABOUR_LEGISLATIONS

Labour Legislations

Notes formed on systematic lines in 1919. A number of trade unions were established between 1919
and 1923. Category wise, unions like Spinners’ Union and Weavers’ Union came into existence
in Ahmedabad under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi. These unions were, later, federated
into an industrial union known as Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association. This union has been
formed on systematic lines and has been functioning on sound lines, based on the Gandhian
Philosophy of mutual trust, collaboration and non-violence.

6.4.3 All India Trade Union Congress

The most important year in the history of Indian Trade Union movement is 1920 when the All
India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed consequent upon the necessity of electing
delegates for the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This is the first All India trade union in

the country. The first meeting of the AITUC was held in October, 1920 at Bombay (now Mumbai)
under the Presidentship of Lala Lajpat Rai. The formation of AITUC led to the establishment
of All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) in 1922. Many Company Railway Unions were

affiliated to it. Signs of militant tendency and revolutionary ideas were apparent during this
period.
1. Period of Splits and Mergers: The splinter group of AITUC formed the All India Trade
Union Federation (AITUF) in 1929. Another split by the communists in 1931 led to the
formation of All India Red Trade Union Congress. Thus, splits were more common during
the period. However, efforts were made by the Railway Federation to bring unity within
the AITUC. These efforts did bear fruit and All India Red Trade Union Congress was
dissolved. Added to this, All India Trade Union Federation also merged with the AITUC.
The unified AITUC’s convention was held in 1940 in Nagpur. But the unity did not last

long. World War II brought splits in the AITUC. There were two groups in the AITUC,
one supporting the war while the other opposed it. The supporting group established its
own central organisation called the Indian Federation of Labour. A further split took place
in 1947, when the top leaders of the Indian National Congress formed another central
organisation.
2. Indian National Trade Union Congress: The efforts of the Indian National Congress resulted
in the establishment of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) by bringing a
split in the AITUC. INTUC started gaining membership right from the beginning.

3. Other Central Unions: The Socialists separated from the AITUC and formed the Hind
Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) in 1948. The Indian Federation of Labour merged with the HMS;
the Radicals formed another union under the name of the United Trade Union Congress
in 1949. Thus, the trade union movement in the country was split into four distinct central
unions during the short span of 1946 to 1949.
Some other central unions were also formed. They were Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in
1955, the Hind Mazdoor Panchayat (HMP) in 1965 and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
in 1970. Thus, the splinter group of the INTUC formed the Union Trade Union Congress – the
split in the Congress Party in 1969 resulted in the split in INTUC and led to the formation of the
National Labour Organisation (NLO).

6.4.4 Present Position

There are over 9,000 trade unions in the country, including unregistered unions and more than
70 federations and confederations registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926. The degree of
unionism is fairly high in organised industrial sector. It is negligible in the agricultural and
unorganised sectors.

132 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY