Can a Non-Political Trade Union Join INTUC or AITUC? Seeking Clarity on Bylaws and Amendments

Dear friends,

Please clarify whether the Registered Employees Trade Union without any political affiliation can seek affiliation with INTUC or AITUC, etc. Should trade union bylaws have similar clauses? If such clauses are not available in the present bylaws, can the union amend the bylaws? Please provide references to the relevant Rule/Act clauses.

Thanks,
adminhsr

Affiliation of a registered Trade Union to any Federation of Trade Unions or any political outfit is not a subject matter of the Trade Unions Act, 1926. It is only a matter of choice exercised by the individual Trade Union based on the view of its majority of members.

Dear friends,

There is no compulsion for the Registered Employees' Trade Union to seek affiliation from political parties or to seek affiliation with any national-level union. Without provision in the bye-laws, a trade union cannot affiliate. If it does so, it may be liable for cancellation of registration upon complaint.

In general, all trade unions are a facet of one of the major political parties, which may include INTUC, AITUC, BMS, HMS, and others.