Friday, July 26, 2013

The history of industrial relations in India dates back to pre independence and since then, it has gone through stages of evolution, both good and bad

The formation of the Bombay Mill Hands Association in 1890 can be called the starting point of the Indian labour movement, though it was not a trade union per se. The association aimed at bringing to the notice of government the grievances of the textile workers in Bombay. Taking a cue from this, a series of strikes followed all over India in the next few years:
? A strike by workers, anticipating wage cut, in three mills owned by K. M. Heeramaneck & Co.
? The first officially recorded strike in Ahmedabad took place in 1895 where workers of Ahmedabad Mill Owners’ Association protested against the introduction of fortnightly payment of wages instead of weekly wages.
? Budge Budge jute mills near Calcutta was closed for six weeks in 1895 and then for eight days in June 1896, though unsuccessful both times.
? Weavers in Bombay went on a strike in 1897 over discontinuance of daily payment of wages and reversion of old system of monthly wages.
? Signalling staff of GIP railways (central railways) went on a strike on May 6, 1899 demanding duty hours to be changed, increase in wages and non-discrimination between Indian and European employees.
? With introduction of electric light and proposition of extended working hours, there were strikes in 1905 in textile mills of Bombay.
? In August 1906, workers of British Clive Jute Mills went on a strike demanding better working conditions and protesting against humiliating behaviour of the management.
? The workers of Jacob Sasson Mills refused to report to work in February 1908, asking for increase in wages.
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