Trade Union Movement Growth
Social Welfare Period (1875-1918)
- The development of industries led to large-scale production on one hand and social evils like employment and exploitation of women and child labor, and deplorable working conditions on the other. The government's attitude of complete indifference regarding the protection of labor from such evils was evident.
Early Trade Union Period (1918-1924)
- The year 1918 was an important one for the Indian trade union movement. The industrial unrest that grew as a result of grave economic difficulties created by war and the rising cost of living prompted workers to demand reasonable wages, for which they united to take collective action.
Left-Wing Unionism Period (1924-1934)
- In 1924, a violent and prolonged strike by unions led to the arrest, prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment of many communist leaders. The rapid growth of trade unionism was facilitated by several factors.
Trade Union's Unity Period (1935-1938)
- In the mid-thirties, the state of a divided labor movement was natural, though undesirable. Soon after the first split, attempts at trade union unity began through the efforts of the Roy Group on the basis of 'a platform of unity.'
Second World War Period (1939-1945)
- The Second World War, which broke out in September 1939, created new strains in the united trade union movement. Hence, a rift occurred again in 1941, and the Radicals left the AITUC with nearly 200 unions and a membership of 300,000, forming a new central federation known as the Indian Federation of Labour.
The Post-Independence Period (From 1947 to date)
- As pointed out earlier, when attempts to restructure the AITUC failed, those believing in aims and ideals other than those of the AITUC separated from the organization and established the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) in May 1947.