Explain the main difficulties in the development of trade union movement in India

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The obstacles to the development of trade unions in Inda are largely internal, they come from the labour itself. Explain

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(1) Small size of trade unions—Most of the trade unions in India are of small size having very small membership. 80% of the unions are of less than 500 members. This is not a healthy development because small unions are not in a position to carry on collective bargain, negotiations effectively, maintain discipline among their own members and finance mutual benefit schemes. Small unions fail in pressurising the Government and the employers in the pursuit of meeting Worker's demands. The small size of the trade unions is attributed to the provision in the Trade Union Act, requiring only seven members to form an association or union.
(2) Limited membership—Trade unions in India are confined to urban areas and their total membership form a small percentage of the total workers. Even in organised sector, where trade unions are strong, a good number of workers do not join any union. A Government survey disclosed that there are 82% of the units where numbers of workers are below 500 but only 18% of the total workers were the members of the trade union.
(3) Outside leadership-In India trade unions are in the hands of outsiders whose interests are always not identical with those of the workers. Trade unions lack self-reliance. Such outsiders are generally professional men such as lawyers or social and political workers. They have no technical knowledge of industry concerned and of the problems the workers face. They could not pay proper attention to the union work. Further philanthropic nature of their work weakens their sense of responsibility. The main reason of this outside leadership is illiteracy among workers.
(4) Low income of members and meagre funds—Poverty and low saving capacity of the members hinder the growth of healthy trade union movement. The workers fail to contribute their subscription ort^, some members do not even become member of the union just to avoid their contribution. Moreover, subscription is not paid regularly hence the funds with the trade union are limiited and they cannot contribute much to the labour welfare. A survey estimates disclose that only 4% of their income is spent on welfare work.
(5) Migratory Character-The migratory character of Indian labour has proved a great hindrance in the development of the movement. The workers do not take keen interest in union activities, because they are mainly concerned with coming from and going to their villages. Workers are generally made themselves absent from their duty at the time of crops.
(6) Illiteracy-Indian labour is illiterate and fails to understand the trade unionism. Workers could not understand the implications of the law and the outside leadership. They tend to develop a complex feeling and a slavish mentality. They are easily exploited by their leaders for their own vested interests.
(7) Multiplicity of Unions-There are more than one unions in most of the industries in India because of various political parties' dominance over workers. So the membership of each union remains very meagre to influence the employer or the Government in safeguarding their interest. A good member of workers could not become the member of any union because they could not decide which union they should join. The multiplicity of union leads inter-union rivalries and weakens the collective bargaining power.
(8) Political influence—Trade union in India have been an arena for the struggle of the conflicting political ideologies. Different political parties have always been trying to capture the labour movement. It is not uncommon that strikes are arranged by the leader only to serve their political aims. Consequently movement lacks unity and solidarity. It is evident from the fact that all the central unions are controlled by different political ideologies.
(9) Lack of unity—Indian labour is not only illiterate, and financially backward but also divided on the basis of their caste, creed and religion which prevent them to unite. Individual differences increase and foiled the movement.
(10) Instability of trade union-In India, many trade unions continue to be virtually strike associations expanding rapidly when a conflict arises but liquidating equally with same speed when a conflict arises is over. This character weakens the strength of the trade union movement.
(11) Attitude of employers—The attitude of the employers in India has been found to be hostile to the organisation of trade unions. They adopt all means to disrupt the activities and unity of workers. They also victimise the leaders of labour movement and employ, in some cases, goondas and strike-breakers to sabotage the union activities. Inducing the setting up of rival union has also been a popular practice with employers.
(12) Defective system of recruitment—The recruitment is made by intermediaries who oppose the formation of trade unions. Sometimes they impose the condition at the time of recruitment that workers shall not join any trade union.
(13) Narrow Outlook of Unions-Trade unions has a very narrow range of services. They rarely look after the social needs of workers. They do not cooperate with employers in the accomplishment of organisational goals. They are always in striking position.