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India
Contributed by Dhiraj Kumar Nite (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi)
India has about 12 central large trade unions that are frequently consulted by the government office on matters of labour. Alongside them, there are more than 16,000 registered labour unions in the country as a whole. These labour unions are formed either in individual firms, particular industrial branch and/or regions. They are often organised along ideological and political lines.
Some of these unions are known to foster historical legacy and memory of some of their legendary labour leaders. They frequently do so by setting up public memorials of such leaders. Around these memorials, these unions hold annual commemorative gatherings. This includes the work of the Bihar Colliery Kamgar Union, affiliated to Marxist Coordination Committee, in the largest Indian coalfield of Jharia.
The Colliery Martyrs Memorial at Bhatdih-Nagda, India. Photo courtesy of Dhiraj Nite.
Major unions in India
The All India Trade Union Congress was founded on 31st October 1920 in Bombay. Among the founders was Lala Lajpat Rai who became the first President. At the beginning the AITUC had 64 affiliated unions with 1,40,000 members, and grew to become the largest trade union confederation in India by 1947.There are organised sector workers such as textile, coal, steel road transport and unorganised sector workers such as beedi, handloom, and construction in the union.
Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha affiliated with Bharatiya Khet Mazdoor Union. This union represents agricultural workers and their struggle for land, wages, and against unfair practices.
Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh was founded on 23rd July 1955 in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh. In the initial years the key sectors were textiles coal, engineering, defence, railway, sugar and electricity.
