Continuous Assessment 1

TITLE: “Trade Unionism in India”

NAME: INDRAJIT MONDAL
URN: 12000922026
SUBJECT: EMPLOYEE RELATIONS &LABOUR LAWS
SUBJECT CODE: HR402
Trade Unionism in India:
Trade unions are organizations formed by workers to protect their
rights and interests in the workplace. They play a crucial role in
collective bargaining, ensuring fair wages, safe working
conditions, and social security for workers. In India, trade unions
have a rich and vibrant history, dating back to the early 19th
century.
Historical Background:
•In India, the first trade union came up in Bombay, after the establishment of textile
mills in the 1850s.
•Trade unions came up in Calcutta in 1854, with the establishment of Jute Mills.
•Sohrabji Shapuri Bengali and C.P. Mazumdar were the leaders and early pioneers
of the labour unions uprising.
•The first factory Commission set up in 1879 studied the problems of industrial
workers.
•First trade union under the leadership of Narayan Meghji Lokhande -‘Bombay
Millhands Association’, founded in 1884, without any funds, office bearers.
•In 1891, The Indian factory Act was passed
•Some other Trade unions are Ahmedabad Weavers (1895), Jute Mills, Calcutta
(1896), Bombay Mill workers (1897) Union.
Objectives:
❖ To secure fair wages, better working conditions, and social security for workers.
❖ To protect workers' rights from exploitation and unfair labor practices.
❖ To promote collective bargaining and strengthen the voice of workers in decision-
making processes.
❖ To advocate for social and economic justice for the working class.
1. Representation
Trade unions aim to represent the interests and rights of workers and ensure their voices
are heard in matters affecting their workplace.
2.Collective Bargaining
Negotiating for better wages, working conditions, and job security is a key objective of
trade unions in India.
3.Legal Protection
Ensuring legal safeguards for workers, including protection from exploitation and unfair
labor practices.
Types of Trade Unions in India:
1.Craft-Based Unions: Daily wage earners of varied professions form this union as it
gives them immense bargaining power to safeguard their rights and interests.
2.Industrial Unions: Manual labor, semi-skilled, highly-skilled workers from any one
industry, for example, electricity or steel industry, form this union. They form it at the
industry or regional level.
3.General-Union: All types of unions, like craft and industrial unions, have one central
body. An example includes the national labor union congress. This central union has
high power to negotiate for the employees’ rights.
4.Federation: Many small or localized unions come together to form a federation. It
also acts like a political entity with the characteristics of a union
Types of Trade Unions operative in India:

1 Craft Unions
These unions represent workers with specific skills
skills or crafts, often found in industries like
construction or printing.
2 Industrial Unions
They cover employees from a particular industry
industry regardless of their specific skills, such as
as automobile manufacturing or textiles.

3 General Unions
These unions bring together workers from various
various industries, often organized based on their
their geographic locations or professions.
Conclusion:
Trade unions have played a significant role in shaping the industrial
landscape of India. They have contributed to the advancement of
workers' rights, improved working conditions, and social justice.
However, they continue to face challenges in the 21st century, such
as globalization, technological advancements, and the
informalization of the workforce. Their ability to adapt and address
these challenges will determine their future relevance and impact.
THANK YOU