Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1850495947

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-233603

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Majesty's Stationery Off.

Year of publication:: 1931

Scope:: xviii, 580 S.; graph. Darst., Kt.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter XVII. - Trade unions

Collection:: Economics Books

TRADE UNIONS. 321 complete record is available, but the numbers in the aggregate are pro- bably about equal to those of Bombay. At the end of 1929, 87 unions claiming 183,000 members had been registered under the Trade Unions Act; of these 38 with 90,000 members were registered in Bombay Presidency. The All-India Trade Union Congress had affiliated to it in December 1929, 51 unions claiming 190,436 members; but this included one large union whose figures were questionable. Membership is everywhere loosely defined, and many unions retain on their books members who have long ceased to pay subs- criptions. At least one union has been formed which claimed no subs- cription from its members. Internal Difficulties, From this necessarily brief survey of recent and contemporary history we turn to questions of future policy and development. Here it is wise to recognise at the outset the difficulties which confront those who are endeavouring to build up the movement. To a large extent the obstacles to development are internal rather than external—they come from labour itself. In the first place, the migratory character of the bulk of Indian labour presents a serious obstacle. Those who are frequently leaving an industrial centre, even for short spells, and are frequently changing their employer, are less inclined than more permanent workers to maintain a constant interest in any organisation. Further, the fact that so many workers look forward to a proximate or ultimate escape from industry tends to diminish their enthusiasm for efforts to amelio- rate their conditions and to enhance their readiness to tolerate disabi- lities. The present conditions of industrial life in India are not con- ducive to the unflagging endeavour: which proved so necessary in the West for the maintenance of trade unions; those whose wages and leisure are barely adequate for sustained work in the factory are not likely to find energy or leisure for activity outside it. It is not difficult to trace a correlation between the strength of the movement in parti- cular centres and industries and the degree of permanence and regularity which characterises the labour force. Another serious handicap is the poverty of the average worker, to whom even a small subscription can be an appreciable burden, particularly when he is already encumbered by debt. Except in times of great stress, few unions can secure ade- quate funds without external assistance. An additional obstacle arises from the divisions whichrun across the lines on which trade unionism must develop. Difference of language and race are, separating factors, and to these is frequently added the active opposition of the jobbers, or their equivalent, to anything resembling a horizontal organisation. Fundamental Deficiencies. But there are even more fundamental difficulties. Trade unionism, to be fully effective, demands two things: a democratic spirit and education. The democratic ideal has still to be developed in the Indian worker, and the lack of education is the most serious ob- stacle of all. The latter difficulty does not arise merely or even mainly

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