Hi Everybody,
As promised I am back to discuss the above subject. I am very glad to have so many of you participated in the discussion of this topic. Whether you like it or not, if the Union is formed in an Organisation, everybody will be on tenterhooks! I would first like to refresh what our friends has told during this discussion.
Mr. Samvedan saidIdentify the key decision makers/influencers among the workers...manage them well... If there is a hint of union of being formed...involve the key people ...telll them the management would withdraw all the existing benefits...and re-negotiate the revised & lower terms with the union if they are compelled... What the company ought to do to complel them to form a union...this would give some ideas.[quote]
Well Mr. Rajat, I will not agree with you as for as your statement...If there is a hint of union of being formed...involve the key people...tell them the Management would withdraw all the existing benefits...and re-negotiate the revised and lower terms with the union if they are compelled". As Sc has said it is not advisable to take the above approach, because if any conflict or negative results take place out of this, the Company will be stripped and lashed in the court.
As Rajat puts it, Mr. Rajat, I totally agree with your above point. Also what you are said..."My point is that we as IR professionals are in a better position to handle the situations and our test of professionalism comes to fore when we are effective & able to manage the dynamics"...I fully endorse your view point!
As Shyamali puts it...Yes, Shyamali, What all you have said is right. Did the management leave you as the HR/IR head, to be honest in your dealings??? I doubt!
As Mr.Sc puts it, You are right Mr.Sc, but when the union is formed and if you want to keep problems as individual problems and not group problems, I feel is difficult though not impossible because in the group they feel stronger and "Ghar ka Kuththa"!
As per Mr. Anand's experience- Thanks Mr. Anand for your outspoken words.
As per Mr. hrg-rajaram, Mr. Anand...you are very practical! Thanks, these things are practiced by me also on a previous occasion.
Before proceeding I would like to thanks all of you above friends for your wonderful ideas, views, solutions. I am happy that this subject, very relevent in these days, has evoked so much of worthwhile response from my professional friends.
Now, I would like to put across you all about the scenario in Readymade garment industry which is the second highest foreign exchange earner after IT.
Now, it is the time for the readymade garments factories boom! Indians, NRI's , Foreign investors, everybody is coming to India to set up factories. They are coming to India because the labour is cheap, very adorning and talented people, encouragement from the Government etc., At this juncture, i.e., after the quota is abolished in 2005 January, the number of big organisations are coming up with huge capacities. Though the Garment industry has undergone a very high technology change in terms of automats, workstations, etc., still it is labour oriented. Except in the Northern India, the workforce is maily female. These workers come from very poor families , trying to meet the two ends. You will find the whole family working in garment factories. That means, of late, there is a big gap in the demand and supply of workers.
Suppose I am working in a garment factory and in the neighbourhood, another factory is opened and they are offering 100-300 rupees more pre month, I don't mind changing my job, least bothering about the benefits of PF etc., I need the money for the day...that's all. Or in another case, if I am not happy working in a particular organisation, I don't want to fight for it, I will just leave that organisation and join another company.
This being the case, after the quota is abolished, the foreign buyers to have hold on the manufacturers, have strictly enforced Social Compliance of code of conduct in garment factories. They strictly instruct the managments that they will do business with organisations who honour the rules and factories act of the Land, pay minimum wages, non-employment of child labour, non-complulsory Overtimes, compulsary holiday every six days of working, hyginic work area with potable water, comfortable seating arrangements etc., All statutory things like PF, health insurance , gratuity etc., has to be given. The buyers during their audits, can select anybody they wish and confidentially interview the worker on any thing they like. Any mis-quote by the worker results in disqualifying the organisation for the manufacture and supply of their goods. Because of all these, the Managements have appointed professionals, in labour welfare, doctors, nurses, provide minimum wages, hygenic working conditions, leave benefits, health insurance etc., that means, there is no way a worker is dis-satisfied as all legally to be given things are given.
Apart from this, the buyers wants to give the workers the freedom of association, form workers committees like Grievence committee, Canteen committe, Sexual harrasment committe, etc, and they will go through the recordings of the meetings in detail and the visual recordings like photos etc.,
Such being the scenario, no management dares to go against the rules and provides all the facilities which legally has to be provided to the workers. That means, there will not be any grouse among the workers. No doubt, there may be some minor issues which require tactful and proactive handling is required but by and large everythings else is covered. This being the case, now the Unions affliated to major political parties wants to make a dent in to this sector as the workforce is huge! So, they are planning to enter the garment industry by planting their own people, instigating the workers inside and form the union for their political advantage. DO YOU WANT OUR INNOCENT POOR GIRLS/WORKERS, WHOSE EARNINGS ONLY IS THE SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES GET RUINED BY THE ULTERIOR MOVES OF SOME TRADE UNIONS??
I thank all learned friends in this forum for their invaluable advise, views, practical tips on the subject, but the above question still haunts me!
-Srinaren