The Trade Union Movement

The trade union movement in India originated from a number of reasons. The working conditions in Indian factories, industries and mines were intolerably poor, with the British Government doing nothing much to improve the situation. Indian trade and industry witnessed growth after the First World War as imports to India reduced while its goods were in continual demand abroad. But all this failed to benefit the workers whose wages remained low. At the same time, the nationalist leaders realised that participation of workers was a must to strengthen the struggle. Thus the workers' cause now engaged the interest of nationalist leaders. Other factors that strengthened the workers' move­ment were the success of the Russian Revolution (1917) and the formation of USSR, and the setting up of the Interna­tional Labour Organisation, in 1919, to safeguard workers' interests.

An investigation into the working conditions in facto­ries was first demanded by the textile lobby of Lancashire. The First Factory (Industrial) Commission was set up in Bombay in 1875. Subsequently, the First Factory Act was passed in 1881, which largely aimed at prohibiting child labour while ignoring other important aspects such as women labour in factories. The ensuing disappointment was sought to be addressed by the Second Factory (Indus­trial) Commission of 1884. A conference of workers was called at Bombay by N.M. Lokhande for presenting a list of demands, including limited working hours, a weekly rest, a recess every day, compensation and punctual pay­ment of wages, to the Commission. This is considered as the starting point of trade unionism in the country. The Second Factory Act of 1891 was another big disappointment in that though it stipulated working hours for women and children and fixed a weekly holiday, it failed to address concerns such as work hours for men.
The period 1918-24 witnessed the emergence of many trade unions to protect workers' interests in different industries, the first of the modem kind being the Madras
Textile Labour Union (1918) with B.P. Wadia as its president. But for safeguarding labour interests in general, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was set up by N.M. Jos at Bombay in 1920. The growth of trade unions led increase in workers' strikes for fulfilment of demands li] increased wages, bonus and allowances. Such trade unio ism, however, could not gain ground in manufacturir industries, such as mining and textile industries.

Two important acts were enacted in 1926 and 19: respectively. The Trade Union Act (1926) established tra( unions as legal entities, provided for their registration ar granted them some rights and privileges. The Trade Di putes Act (1929) laid down Courts of Enquiry and Cond ation Board for solving disputes, forbade strikes in servic, of public utility without advance notice by each individu on strike, and called a halt to union activities aimed gaining sympathy or which were politically motivated.

The influence of communist ideology on trade uniOnism began sometime around 1929. As a result, the trac unionists developed ideological differences that separate them into two groups-the radicals desiring to advan( political purposes through trade unionism and the mode ates who denounced communist influence on the trad uniort movement. The moderates left the AITUC to fon the Indian Trade Union Federation (ITUF). Another grou separated itself from the AITUC to form the Red Trad Union Congress (RTUC). The division of the AITUC an the Meerut conspiracy trial of 1929, which saw prominer leaders of the working class movement arrested and facini a trial, were a real setback to the working class movemenl Trade Union activities suffered as a result. But attempts tl forge unity soon began as the government indulged iJ large-scale repression of workers during the Non-Coopera tion Movement. Efforts of N.M. Joshi, R.R. Bakhale ane others to bring about an agreement among trade unions resulted in the formation of National Trade Union Federa. tion (NTUF) in 1933.

Meanwhile, sensing the growing influence of the radi­cal communists on labour movement, the British rulin! class appointed a royal commission-the Whitley Commi& sion-in 1928 to visit India and suggest measures for the improvement of labour relations and betterment of labour welfare. The commission, consisting of 11 members (six of them being Indians), visited India in 1929. The six Indian members of the commission were Srinivas S. Shastri, Ibrahim Rahimtullah, Kabeeruddin Ahmad, G.D. Birla, N.M. Joshi and D. Chaman Lall. The commission's important recom­mendations include:
(i) adoption of a policy of standard wages in Bombay cotton mills and jute industries of Bengal;
(ii) inclusion of both time-and-piece workers in the new
wage policy;
(iii) development of stable trade unions, appointment of labour officers and formation of works committees to promote cordial relations between the employer and the employees; and
(iv) provision for conciliation officers to settle disputes at an early stage.
The government remained silent for a long time over implementing any of the Whitley Commission's recommen­dations.

In the period 1935-39, there was an increase in union activities. Firstly, the Government of India Act of 1935 allowed labour representatives to be elected. The provincial Congress ministries that started functioning in 1937 laid down minimum living standards and general citizenship rights to promote the workers' conditions. And employers were gradually becoming less hostile towards trade unions­an aspect stressed by the ILO. As a result of large-scale renewed activities, the lTUF merged with the NTUF, and the RTUF became a part of AlTUC. The AlTUC and NTUF became affiliated to each other in 1938. ­

During the Second World War, industrial production in India touched new heights as foreign goods had stopped coming in due to the war and the British industries in the country began catering to war-time needs. Inspite of in­creased profits for the industries, workers were continued to be paid low wages. Surprisingly, strikes were few. This was because communist leaders favouring the war were averse to the idea of strikes during the war period. Also, trade unions suffered from a dearth of leaders who could successfully voice the concerns of the workers. The Defence of India Rules of the Government of India provided for adjudication of disputes followed by enforcement of the award. Representatives of governments, employers and the trade union movement came together to set up a collabo­rative machinery with a permanent status. Workers' rights were safeguarded by the National Service Ordinance, 1940. The Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance, 1941 pro­tected workers from dismissal without proper reasons.

After the war, the prices and standards of living went up much to th'e discomfort of the workers. Trade union movements thus intensified. Trade unionism was also promoted by political parties and governments who realised that the labour movement had now assumed a prominent role. In 1947, amendments were made to the Trade Union Act. Now, it became compulsory for employers to recognise trade unions which in turn would satisfy certain conditions. More women members joined the ranks of the trade unions. Many local unions sprang up which, however, were not very successful in collective bargaining and ensuring en­forcement of agreements. In contrast, large employees' organisations wielded immense power. The imbalance in the situation led to the creation of inter-state, regional workers' organisations. Increased industrial strikes and disputes resulting in reduced industrial production, the Indian Government after independence assembled the workers, employers and government representatives at an Industries Truce Conference in December 1947. The Indus­trial Disputes Act was passed in 1947 to set up a means for conciliation.