Changing role of trade unions?
By Hasubhai Dave?
Radically changing time impacts almost everything including trade, business, union or the world. Hence, it is inevitable to understand the changing role and responsibilities of the labour unions. Though, the labour activities in India had begun in 1920, the Trade Union Act came into force only in 1926. So, it is obligatory to be informed of the previous viewpoints and to ponder over the present situation.
Industrialisation brought in the labour activities in India. Union activities made their roots to protect the interests of the labourers and to reduce their exploitation. Safe keeping of the employees was much necessitated. Moreover, there was a vacuum of the laws to provide a shield to the labourers in terms of working hours, pay scale, job conditions, etc. These intricate issues basically gave birth to fight against exploitation of labourers through the union activities. In the beginning, the unions were led by the people closely associated with political parties. Furthermore, their thinking had no concord with the country’s thought bank and it was influenced by external thought wings.
These issues brought in different laws for defending the rights of workers. If we look at it, at the grass roots level, the sole objective of the union activities was to eradicate exploitation of workers. Therefore, the labour unions centred their attention at safeguarding the rights of the labourers.
Union activities generated a United Force empowering the leaders to get their work done at any cost. The union activities included strike, agitation, processions, demonstrations and frequent irksome meetings. It became so undisciplined that it proved to be an impediment in the industrial progress and peace. Right from the beginning, the labour movement was influenced by some external think tanks. So, workers were not loyal to the industry or the nation’s interest. Slogans like “fulfill our demands at any cost” (hamari mangen poori hon, chahe jo majboori ho) were much prevalent. So, what required was to work for betterment of the nation without disturbing the work—desh ke hit me karenge kam, kam ke lenge poore daam. This view was being neglected.
Therefore, the labour activities and trade union representatives needed a change. The liberalisation process, which began in India in 1990, compelled all to think for protecting the worker. This required tremendous changes in the ways of working in union activities. It also raised a very sensitive question—“existence of the labourers”. It demanded urgent change in the situation. The privatisation also paved the way for open market with cut throat competition.
World Trade Organisation (WTO) made an easy way for multi-national companies to enter our country. Government of India also started giving a fair amount of its stake in public enterprises through disinvestment. It invited foreign currency and stiff competition in the market. This impacted the market and its end users.
Both liberalisation and disinvestment almost wiped out the existence of small scale industries against multinational companies. The cheaper foreign goods rang the death knell for many small scale industries. VRS, closers of industries and reduction in employees’ strength led to unemployment. By and large the overall idea of increasing job opportunities through liberalisation and disinvestment came as boomerang and only added to the unemployment.
This critical situation made it obligatory for the industrialists, trusts, union leaders and the workers as well to think rationally. The solutions to come out from this situation by owners, labourers and the unions are different. Therefore, it is time to analyse and interpret the situation individually and offer the best solutions.
Implacable issues like unemployment, job insecurity, escalating poverty, divided workers, privatisation and closure of many small as well as large-scale units demand a change in the role of labour unions. Hence, meticulously crafted thoughts are desired for growth and development as they lead the country towards industrial peace required for open market and also to preserve the workers’ rights.
Today’s much competitive time demands modern thoughts and versatile mindset instead of closed mind and orthodox viewpoints for industrial progress and peace. This persuades us to inculcate the motto of “co-operation than clash” and this happens with the harmony amid management and the workers. It is also advised to shun the personal prejudice and to adopt the rational approach. If management and workers come to unanimous viewpoints, the success and strong foothold in business is assured in the cut throat competition; as every industry seems to be facing the threat of existence today. Existence of industries and the existence of workers go hand in hand.
It has been proved that one who is dynamic and believes in feasibility and accountability will survive. Industrial peace assures the rights and dignity of the business/industry and the workers. Consequently, it demands clear and productive perspectives for labour unions. Similarly, the union leaders have to take a clear stand on the role of workers in a constructive frame.
We advocate “good for country first”. But reality indicates something else. In today’s era, we have to advocate “good for the nation, good for the trade or business and good for the workers”. Time and the situations have changed. Workers’ and the management’s role have become clearer and more responsible. Today, it is not advisable to adopt the way of agitation or strike to get the work done. The issues are to be resolved with productive meetings, discussions and fruitful results through sharing the duties, responsibilities and partnership in business.
In such a situation, the role of unions becomes very decisive. Unions have to inculcate values and sense of duty to work. They have to educate the labourers to confiscate their personal preconceived wrong notions. In all, unions have to perform the role of a mentor and a patron.
Today, employment opportunities are decreasing, social insecurity is increasing, and unemployment bandwagon is mounting. In such a critical situation, it is highly desirable to maintain industrial peace and to safeguard the rights of the workers by adopting balanced mindset. This in turn will really purge the exploitation.
Keeping in mind the production and productivity, the union and its leaders have to instill the values of discipline in the workers and help them getting their real share from the profit. Industries also have to take care of the workers’ rights, social security and better standard of life by sharing profit. This would add to the dedication and devotion of the workers for production and profitability of business. The industrialists also have to adopt the versatile and positive approach for all their stakeholders as their fellow mates. They must understand and think clearly that the growth and development of their trade and business also depends upon the workers.
Gradually, manpower is getting replaced with machine power, yet the worker and his importance has/will not become obsolete. But in this era of state-of-the-art technology, workers have to equip themselves with skills and competence to prove themselves, because this is the era of descent and smart work.
New technology and inventions have reduced the taskforce substantially from industries. Today, the time demands ‘multi-skilled’ employees with speed and accuracy in work. Industrial progress is the only benchmark of country’s development in modern era. But, we, the country of 150 crore people, are still climbing the ladder of progress at snail’s pace. The time demands qualitative production at lower rate and the inventions to make the product more versatile, user-friendly and productive. The industry that adjusts itself with the briskly changing time would survive. Similarly, the worker who can adopt the new skills would be able to show his competence. Unions too have to embrace flexibility and accountability for their existence.
If the worker, industry or union wants to survive, they have to keep pace with changing time. Accept the mistakes honestly and try to ameliorate them in present and future by coordinated efforts in planning and thinking. Labour unions can really direct the labourers in right direction and help the workers understand their role to be performed. It is the duty of labour unions to see that clash is replaced with cooperation. Forget the past and think of the future. Practical and prolific perspectives of unions will contribute to the development story of the nation.
To infer, I would like to say that unions can play a pivotal role in comprehensive development of the nation. Unions have to show the workers the constructive and rational ways of doing the work. The labourers also have to be united and cooperative than to be agitated. Unions have to put in meticulous efforts to unite the workers for shielding their rights. They have to forget their personal prejudices and have to be of one voice for protecting the rights and dignity of the workers.
(The writer is former national president of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.)?
Comments