SYNOPSIS

In-depth Study of Role of Trade Unions in Mumbai Textile Mills and Labour
Movement

http://oxford.academia.edu/SumeetMhaskar/Papers/397/Labour_movemen
t_in_the_context_of_Liberalisation_A_case_study_of_Mumbai_textile_indust
ry
Topic: To Study the “Role of Trade Unions in Mumbai
Textile Mills & Labour Movement”

INTRODUCTION

This study deals with growth & decline of textile industries in Mumbai
‘Cotton textiles- India’s most important industry- underpinned the social
relations and economy of Bombay city.’ It formed such a significant
segment, that the rise of the city of Mumbai as the most important Indian
centre of industry and trade cannot be separated from the emergence and
development of the textile industry in the city.

The role played by the textile industry and its workers has been the most
factor significant of the crafting the city of Mumbai. Right from the
establishment of the first cotton textile mill, that came up in the city in the
1850s, the development of the city and its activities centred around this
industry and its working class In fact there was a time when every two out
of three workers in the city were employed in the textile industry. The
figure reached to around 2.5 lakhs by 1980.All this contributed in making
Mumbai, the economic and commercial capital of the country.

The textile industry which has been so crucial in the development of

Mumbai saw its decline since the late 1970s’ in almost all parts of the
country. This process continued till this industry began to decline from the
mid1980’s and most significantly since the 1990’s, hastening the process
of its closure leading to the massive displacement of the working class.

The decline of the textile industry in Mumbai that ultimately led to the
closure of the mills has had its own peculiarities as well as consequences.
This study proposes to examine the demise of labour movement and the
textile industry in the city of Mumbai. What are the factors that
contributed to the demise of the industry and the labour movement and
who can be held accountable for this? This study will also examine the co-
relation, if there is any, between the demise of the textile industry and the
demise of the labour movement in the city. Does this demise in textile
industry explain the demise of the labour movement? Or can the labour
movement be held accountable for the demise of textile industry. These
interrelated themes would be examined
 OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH

The main objective of the research is

• To identify various factors which were responsible for the growth and
decline of the textile industries in Mumbai and its effect on Mumbai
landscape

• To study the development of trade unions from labour organisation to

politically driven trade unions and its effect on labour movement in
Mumbai.

• To investigate the role played by union leaders and their influence in

the movement

• To study the development of Mumbai from “Workers Paradise” to a

“World Class City” and the effect of same on its labour class and their
land

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

• The re-designing of the urban landscapes of Mumbai cannot be

understood without taking into account the defeat of the Mumbai
working class movement in the1982 strike.

• The defeat of the Mumbai textile labour is not merely a failure of trade
unionism but denotes a much large process of reconstruction of social
and political relations in Mumbai.
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The following review of literature is focusing mainly on the textile industry

in recent decades. The city of Mumbai and its labour has always remained
an area of research, primarily because it was the first Indian city to
experience economic, technological and social change associated with the
growth of capitalism. The details for this study have been sourced through
various internet sites

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research methodology is qualitative in nature. It provides details on

various social aspects of the labour movement and industrialisation and
its impact on the development of Mumbai.

SOURCES OF DATA

There are many sources of data collection, such as secondary data

collection and Primary data collection.

• Primary Data Collection: There are various ways to undertake the

gathering of primary data, including conducting surveys to create
market data or using other research instruments such as
questionnaire.

• Secondary data Collection: This involves information that already exists

somewhere, such as in studies already undertaken on this area as well
as published books, articles in journals, articles on the internet and
other sources

The method used for this study is secondary data collection

 CONCLUSION

This study reveals the mill owners, with an active State apparatus, that
contributed to the demise of the textile industry and therefore the working
class movement in the city of Mumbai. Although the labour movement
was itself grappled with various issues to solidify the working class unity,
the mill owners utilised the emergence of reactionary forces to disperse
the working class and thereby preventing it from achieving its ends. And
also the entire trade union apparatus meant to be a labour support led to
the failure of textile mills and its workers under strong political influence.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://oxford.academia.edu/SumeetMhaskar/Papers/397/Labour_movemen
t_in_the
context_of_Liberalisation_A_case_study_of_Mumbai_textile_industry

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.scribd.com/doc/42896716/Synopsis#

www.citehr.com