Trade unions are worker-led organizations that use collective action to preserve workers' rights and interests. In India, the trade union movement arose in reaction to the issues that the working class encountered as a result of industrialization during time of freedom struggle. In this article, we will discuss the Growth of Trade Union which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Factors Contributing to the Growth of Trade Union

Though modern industries began to emerge in India after 1857, trade unions did not emerge until after 1920. The following are some of the factors that have contributed to the growth of trade union movements in India:

• After World War I, the prices of essential commodities began to rise, but labour wages remained unchanged.
• Workers' working conditions are poor and deplorable.
• The Russian Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the USSR forced workers to reconsider their social order.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in 1919 to protect the interests of workers.
• During the 1920s, the rise of socialist ideology in India led to the formation of trade unions.
• The Gaya session of Congress in 1922 adopted a resolution allowing party workers to participate in trade union activities, providing additional impetus to trade unions.
• The rise of communist parties, which began to take an active interest in worker grievances, resulted in the expansion of the trade union movement.

Growth of Trade Union in different phases

Pre-1918

• After the establishment of textile and jute mills, as well as the construction of railways, in the 1850s, worker atrocities began to emerge.
• Though the origins of labour movements can be traced back to the 1860s, the first labour agitation in Indian history occurred in Bombay in 1875.
• It was organised by S.S Bengalee. It centred on the plight of workers, particularly women and children.
• This resulted in the establishment of the first Factory commission in 1875. As a result, the first factories act was passed in 1881.
• M.N Lokhande established the Bombay Mill Hands Association in 1890. This was India's first labour union.

1918 - 1924

• This period saw the birth of the true trade union movement in India. It was structured similarly to unions in the industrialised world.
• The deterioration of living conditions caused by the First World War, as well as the workers' exposure to the outside world, resulted in heightened class consciousness among the workers. This provided fertile ground for the movement's development. This is known as the early trade union period.
• Important unions include the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (1917), led by Smt. Anasuyaben Sarabhai, the All India Postal and RMS Association, and the Madras Labour Union, led by B.P Wadia, among others.
• The AITUC, India's oldest trade union federation, was founded in 1920. Lala Lajpat Rai, Joseph Baptista, N.M Joshi, and Diwan Chaman Lall founded it. Lajpat Rai was elected as AITUC's first president.

1925 - 1934

• This period was distinguished by increased militancy and a revolutionary approach. The movement was also split up several times.
• Leaders such as N.M Joshi and V.V Giri played an important role in moderating the movement and integrating it further into the nationalist mainstream.
• AITUC split several times, allowing the formation of organisations such as the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and the All India Red Trade Union Congress (AIRTUC).
• However, the need for unity became apparent, and they all merged with the AITUC in the following phase.
• The trade union movement was also welcomed by the government. Legislation such as the Trade Unions Act of 1926 and the Trade Disputes Act of 1929 aided its expansion.
• It granted the unions many rights in exchange for certain obligations. The left dominated during this time period.
• As a result, it is sometimes referred to as the period of left-wing trade unionism.

1935 - 1938

• This stage was distinguished by greater unity among various unions. By 1937, the Indian National Congress had gained control of the majority of the provinces.
• As a result, more and more unions came forward and joined the nationalist movement. AIRTUC and AITUC merged in 1935. Provincial governments enacted legislation that gave trade unions more power and recognition.
• The approach of Congress ministries was to promote worker interests while maintaining industrial peace.
• The goal was to reconcile labour and capital, with ministries working to secure wage increases and better living conditions.
• However, many ministries regarded strikes as issues of law and order. They used colonial machinery to suppress it. This infuriated the unions.

1939 - 1946

• The Second World War further lowered workers' living standards, leading to the movement's strengthening. The issue of war effort sparked a schism between the Communists and the Congress.
• This, along with other issues, contributed to a further schism in the movement.
• However, the movement as a whole grew stronger as a result of the overlapping issues. This included post-war mass entrenchment and the massive price rise that accompanied it.
• Legislation such as the Industrial Employment Act of 1946 and the Bombay Industrial Relations Act of 1946 helped to strengthen the trade union movement.
• The movements became more vocal and involved in the national movement in general.

1947 and after

• It was distinguished by the proliferation of labour unions. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel established INTUC in May 1947. Since then, the Communists have dominated the AITUC. Hind Mazdoor Sabha was founded in 1948 under the banner of the Praja Socialist Party. It was later influenced by Socialists. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh was founded in 1955 and is currently affiliated with the BJP.
• Following independence, trade unions became increasingly entwined with party politics.
• The rise of regional parties has resulted in a proliferation of their numbers, with each party opting to form its own trade union.
• Their influence, however, has dwindled since the post-1991 liberalisation.
• Following independence, India has seen various unions band together to address a common issue. Among these were the crippling railway strikes of 1974 and the Great Bombay textile strike of 1982.
• However, such strikes appear to have received less public support since 1991. There is also a greater emphasis on informal labour. This is because unorganised labour is particularly vulnerable.
• All of the major trade unions have seen an increase in membership from the unorganised sector.

All India Trade Union Congress (1920)

• The AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress) is India's oldest trade union federation. It is affiliated with the Indian Communist Party.
• It was created on October 31, 1920, and its first president was Lala Lajpat Rai.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak, N.M.Joshi, B.P.Wadia, Diwan Chamanlall, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Joseph Baptista were the AITUC's founding leaders.
• In its second session in Jharia in 1921, the AITUC endorsed a resolution of Swaraj (complete independence from British rule), almost eight years before the platform of freedom struggle, the Indian National Congress, adopted such a resolution in 1929.
• In the aftermath of World War II, the AITUC was instrumental in the formation of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WTFU).
• During the 1920s, British communists wielded considerable power over the AITUC.
• During World War II, they gained complete authority, but they lost some popular support when they chose to join Britain in the war effort.
• Their philosophy was based on class, and they advocated for a violent anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist struggle.
• Since then, the AITUC has been divided into reformist and revolutionary factions.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link All India Trade Union Congress (1920).

Conclusion

A vibrant and responsible trade union environment is required for any economy to experience inclusive growth. It checks rising inequality and deteriorating working-class living conditions. In recent years, most labour unions' authority has been eroded. The AITUC must work effectively to achieve a balance of power between labour rights and economic growth.

FAQs

MCQs

1. When was the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) founded?

A) 1915
B) 1920
C) 1935
D) 1947

2. What was the primary reason for the growth of trade unions in colonial India?

A) Support from the British government
B) Economic prosperity
C) Poor working conditions and low wages
D) Influence of Western trade unions

3. Which law provided legal recognition to trade unions in India?

A) Indian Factories Act of 1881
B) Trade Disputes Act of 1929
C) Trade Unions Act of 1926
D) Industrial Disputes Act of 1947

4. Who played a significant role in founding the AITUC?

A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Lala Lajpat Rai
D) Subhas Chandra Bose

5. How did the trade union movement contribute to India's independence struggle?

A) By supporting the British government
B) By aligning with the Indian National Congress
C) By staying neutral
D) By opposing the Congress

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Discuss the factors that led to the growth of the trade union movement in India during the colonial period.

Answer: The growth of the trade union movement in India during the colonial period was driven by multiple factors. Industrialization under British rule led to the rise of factories, which brought about long working hours, poor working conditions, and low wages for workers. These grievances created the need for collective bargaining and led to the formation of trade unions.

The influence of Western trade union movements also played a role in inspiring Indian workers to organize. Additionally, the increasing political consciousness and the alignment of trade unions with the Indian freedom struggle provided a strong platform for workers to demand better rights. The formation of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920 was a significant milestone in this regard, as it formalized the trade union movement in India.

Q2: Evaluate the impact of the Trade Unions Act of 1926 on the development of trade unions in India.

Answer: The Trade Unions Act of 1926 had a profound impact on the development of trade unions in India. It provided legal recognition to unions, allowing them to be registered and offering protection for their activities. This was a critical step in the growth of the labor movement, as it gave workers a legitimate platform to negotiate with employers and fight for their rights.

The Act also helped standardize trade union practices and encouraged the formation of more unions across the country. However, the Act had its limitations, as it did not provide adequate safeguards for strikes and collective bargaining. Despite these challenges, the Trade Unions Act of 1926 laid the foundation for organized labor movements in India.

Q3: Analyze the role of the trade union movement in the broader context of India's struggle for independence.

Answer: The trade union movement played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence by providing a collective voice for industrial workers. Many trade unions aligned themselves with the Indian National Congress, supporting its calls for self-rule and independence. Trade unions organized strikes and protests, which were often seen as direct challenges to British economic interests in India.

The involvement of key leaders, such as Lala Lajpat Rai, in founding the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) further strengthened the connection between the labor movement and the independence struggle. By mobilizing the working class, the trade union movement added a new dimension to the fight for independence, highlighting the intersection between labor rights and political freedom.

Previous Year Questions on Trade Unions

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: The Trade Unions Act of 1926 is significant because it:

A) Encouraged British workers to form unions
B) Provided legal recognition to trade unions in India
C) Outlawed strikes
D) Limited the power of trade unions

Answer: B

Explanation: The Trade Unions Act of 1926 provided legal recognition to trade unions in India, allowing them to register and protecting their activities.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the role of the trade union movement in colonial India and its impact on the independence movement.

Answer: The trade union movement in colonial India played a vital role in organizing industrial workers and advocating for their rights. Many trade unions aligned themselves with the Indian National Congress, participating in strikes and protests that supported the larger independence movement. The formation of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920 marked the beginning of a formal labor movement, which became intertwined with the fight for self-rule. The trade union movement brought the issues of labor rights and economic justice to the forefront of the independence struggle, making it an integral part of the broader anti-colonial movement.