Q. With power comes its misuse. Do you see this as a probable reason why management is not sensitive to the needs of its labour force?
A. Certainly, labour unions are a collective bargaining force and there is nothing wrong in that. Workers form a collective category and advance their common demand. Trade unions have their own democratic functioning; the members meet, discuss and share their experiences and formulate their demands accordingly. Fighting absenteeism, watching workers putting their optimum efforts during work hours is also their work.
Even the International Labour Organization (ILO) has a worker-education programme that aims to make workers more aware of their rights, duties and work culture.
Q. Why do we often find management against these unions?
A. No management has the power to hire and fire during such a period. Disciplinary actions are taken and disputes can be taken to labour ministry and commissioners. However, no government or management can have the power to hire and fire at its whim and this is exactly what the management demands. Management cannot accuse trade unions and workers for not giving their full cooperation in the production, for trade unions themselves talk about a new work culture.
Q. Is there lack of awareness amongst the labour class when it comes to workplace rights?
A. I do not think so because nowadays trade unions are quite active. For instance, Tamil Nadu recently organised an awareness campaign that explained labour problems; what are the present struggle, what are the demands.
Moreover, many agricultural workers unions are demanding central legislation for workers. Political parties too take up these issues. There are independent trade unions and people go to judiciary too when their rights are denied. Click here to read more...
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