QUES.

Origin, Growth and Objectives of various Trade Unions

like INTUC,AITUC,UTUC,BMS,NFITU,CITU.

1.Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) is the trade

union wing of the Indian National Congress. It was founded 3 May
1947 and is affiliated with the International Trade Union
Confederation. According to provisional statistics from the Ministry
of Labour, INTUC had a membership of 3,892,011 in 2002.

Birth and growth of INTUC

The foundation of INTUC on 3 May 1947 just 3 months before
India attained independence.
Acharya JB Kripalani, who was then President of the Indian National Congress inaugurated
the Founding conference of INTUC. Among the distinguished leaders who attended the
opening session were Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Shankarrao Deo, Jagjivan Ram, B. G. Kher,
OP Mehtab, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Ashoka Mehta, Ramchandra Sakharam
Ruikar, Maniben Patel and other prominent trade unionists.
Under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, the founding fathers in their wisdom preferred to let
the INTUC have an independent identity with its own constitution, while at the same time
functioning as an arm of the Congress.

To take recourse to other legitimate method, including strikes or any suitable form of
satyagraha, where adjudication is not applied and settlement of disputes within a reasonable
time by arbitration is not available for the redress of grievances.
To make necessary arrangements for the efficient conduct satisfactory and speedy conclusion
of authorised strikes or satyagraha.
To foster the spirit of solidarity, service, brotherhood co-operation and mutual help among
the workers.
To develop in the workers a sense of responsibility towards the industry and community.
To raise the workers' standard of efficiency and discipline.

OBJECTIVES The aims of INTUC are:

1. To establish an order of society which is free from hindrances to an all-round development
of its individual members, which fosters the growth of human personality in all its aspects
and which goes to the utmost limit in progressively eliminating social, political or economic
exploitation and inequality, the profit motive in the economic activity and organisation of
society and the antisocial concentration of power in any form.
2. To place industry under national ownership and control in a suitable form.
3. To establish just industrial relations
4. To secure increasing association of workers in the administration of industry and their full
participation in that control.
5. To raise the worker's standard of efficiency and discipline.
6. To foster the spirit of solidarity service brotherhood, cooperation and mutual help among
the workers.
7. To secure redressal of grievances, without stoppage of work, by means of negotiation,
conciliation and failing these arbitration and adjudication.
8. To make necessary arrangements for the efficient conduct and satisfactory and speedy
conclusion of authorised strikes or satyagraha.
9. To organise society in such a manner as to ensure full employment and the best utilisation
of its manpower and other resources.
10. To promote social, civic and political interest ofthe working class.
The basic objectives of the INTUC were inspired by the sarvodaya philosophy. The INTUC
stands for “gradual transformation of the existing social order and it attempts to develop a
sense of responsibility in the workers. It does not repose any faith in class-conflict. It believes
that the difference between employers and labour is only superfluous. The constitution of the
INTUC emphasised on the adoption of peaceful means, consistent with the Gandhian
philosophy of cotrusteeship, Ahinsa and Truth. The means, therefore, are negotiation,
conciliation and if necessary adjudication of disputes. It publishes English weekly (India
Worker) and a Hindi weekly (Mazdoor Sandesh).

2.ALL INDIA TRADE UNION CONGRESS (AITUC)

The first all India trade union organisation was established in 1920
as a result of a resolution passed by the organised workers of
Bombay and the delegates which met in a conference on 31st
October, 1920. It was attended by such first rank political leaders
as Motilal Nehru, M.A. Jinnah, Annie Besant and Vallabhbhai
Patel and Colonel Wedgewood on behalf of the British Trade
Union Congress. The first president was Lala Lajpat Rai. 122 The
AITUC is an organisation dominated by communist party of India.
Its thesis is that labour and capital cannot be reconciled with in a socialistic system and that
trade unions are organs of class struggle. Thus, in the view of the AITUC, the ultimate aim of
the trade union movement is to abolish wage slavery and establish socialism in which not
only the working class but all layers of society are free from exploitation.
OBJECTIVES: The basic objectives of the AITUC are:
1. To establish a socialist state in India;
2. To socialist and nationalise means of production, distribution and exchange;
3. To secure and maintain for the workers the freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom
of association, freedom of assembly, the right to strike and the right to work and
maintenance;
4. To coordinate the activities of the labour unions and affiliated to the AITUC;
5. To abolish political or economic advantage based on caste, creed, community, race or
religion;
6. To secure and maintain for the workers — the right to strike;
7. To ameliorate the economic and social conditions of the working class; and
8. To watch and promote the interests, rights and privileges of the workers in all matters
relating to their employment.
The AITUC endeavours to achieve these objectives through legitimate, peaceful and
democratic methods and in last resort, by strikes and similar methods as may be decided from
time to time. The slogans were “ organise and unite; demonstrate and protest; negotiate and
settle; and if not successful, strike peacefully as a last resort.” The AITUC is affiliated to the
World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). It publishes Hindi version of its organ ‘Vishwa
Darshan’

3.UNITED TRADE UNION CONGRESS (UTUC)

The UTUC was formed in 1949 on the initiative of the same union
leaders after the conference in December, 1948, organised by
socialists who did not agree with the principles and objectives of
125 Hind Mazdoor Sabha. The main objective of this organisation
is to conduct trade union activities and build up a central platform
of labour on the broadest possible basis of trade union unity free
from sectarian party politics. UTUC came into existence with the aim of establishing a pure
trade union movement as free as possible from any of the existing political parties. Its
leadership is in the hands of the members of various leftwing groups, whose policy on many
issues is very similar to that of AITUC. But it is more leftist in its political views and it tries
to seek the co-operation of the communities.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of UTUC are:
1. To establish a socialist society in India;
2. To establish a worker’s and peasant’s State in India;
3. To nationalise and socialise the means of production, distribution and exchange;
4. To secure and promote workers interests, rights and privileges of the workers in all
matters, social, cultural, economic and political;
5. To secure and maintain worker’s freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of
press, freedom of association, right to strike, right to work or maintenance and the right to
social security;
6. To bring about unity in the trade union movement. These objectives are to be achieved by
legitimate, peaceful and democratic methods. The strike is to be declared as a last resort.

4.CENTRE OF INDIAN TRADE UNIONS (CITU)

The CITU brought in existence in 1970 by the Marxist faction of the
communist party. This organisation has its origin in the AITUC which
is controlled by the rightist faction of the communist party of India.
The CITU believes that the exploitation of the working class can be
ended only by socialising all means of production, distribution and
exchange and establishing a socialist state, that is, it stands for the
complete emancipation of the society from all exploitation. In the fight
for the immediate interest of the working class the CITU demands-
a. Nationalisation of all foreign monopoly concerns who barbarously exploit the working
class;
b. Nationalisation of all concerns owned by Indian monopolists and big industry who garner
huge profits at the expenses of the workers, who exploit the people by pegging prices at a
high level and who dictate the anti-labour and anti-people policies of the government
OBJECTIVES
(A) The CITU believes that the exploitation of the working class can be
ended only by socializing all means of production: distribution and
exchange and establishing a Socialist State. Holding fast the ideal of
socialism, the CITU stands for the complete emancipation of the society
from all exploitation.
(B) The CITU fights:
(a) Against all encroachments on the economic and social rights of
workers and for enlargement of their rights and liberties including the
right to strike, for winning, defending and extending the freedom of the
democratic and trade union movements,
(b) For the recognition of trade unions on the basis of secret ballot,
(c) For the progressive improvement of wages, for reduction of working
hours, for provision of decent housing and improvement of the living
conditions of the workers,
(d) For security of full employment, right to work and against the hazards
of unemployment,
(e) For full and adequate social security legislation to protect the workers
and their families against sickness, accident and old age, providing
adequate maternity insurance and pensions for widowed mothers and
wives and dependent children, and every other type of social security, for
effective control of the worker subscribers over the Provident Fund and
ESI Corporations,
(f) For equal wages for equal work,
(g) For the abolition of discrimination based on caste, like untouchability,
on gender, and religion, in relation to employment, wages and promotion,
(h)For the protection of the democratic rights of the minorities,
(i) For formation through election of committees in factories, workshops,
business houses and other places where collective work is performed, with
a view to control conditions of work in these places,
(j)  For proper vocational training, (k) For elimination of illiteracy

5.BHARITYA MAZDOOR SABHA (BMS)

The union has been the outcome decision taken by the Jana Sangh in its
convention at Bhopal on 23rd July, 1954. Its General Secretary is the
veteran labour leader D.P. Thengadi.
OBJECTIVES: Its objectives are:
1. To establish the Bhartiya order of classless society in which there
shall be secured full employment, replacement of profit motive by service and establishment
of economic democracy, development of autonomous industrial communities — with each
one of them consisting of all the individuals connected with the industry as partners.
2. To assist workers in orgnising themselves in trade unions as a medium of service to the
motherland irrespective of faiths and political affinities.
3. The right to strike and
4. To inculcate in the minds of the workers the spirit of service, co-operation and dutifullness
and develop in them a sense of responsibility towards the nation in general and the industry in
particular.
The BMS is a productivity oriented non-political trade union. Its ideological basis is the triple
formula (1) nationalise the labour; (2) labourise the industry, and (3) industrialise the nation.
It rejects the idea of state control, rather it views it as an evil to be restricted to inevitable
sectors like defence. But stands firmly for the principle of public accountability for each
industry and consequent enunciation of public discipline. It tries to bring consumers as the
third and the most important party to industrial relations. Its accent is on patriotism.
ORGANISATIONAL GROWTH

BMS in 1955 existed only in the minds of a few determined persons who assembled at
Bhopal under the guidance of Shri D.B. Thengadi – a thinker and intellectual, who had even
earlier dedicated accepting the noble principle of self abnegation, his entire life to social
work. He collected a band of determined workers around him to work for the organisation
selflessly.
The first task was to build a strong organisational structure on the noble principles already
declared. Constant tour of the country by Shri Thengadiji and the local efforts of his then
colleagues resulted in setting up of a union here, and a union there. Of course that looked
insignificant in the broad canvas of the trade union field like tiny dots on a large map. Most
of these unions were in the unorganised sector. With the increase in experience, slowly, BMS
unions sprung up in important industries. In a few States, State Committees were formed.

Thus it was only in 1967, twelve years after its formation – that the first all India Conference
of BMS was held in Delhi, in which the initial national executive was elected. At the time the
number of affiliated unions was 541 and total membership was 2, 46,000. Shri Thengadiji
was elected General Secretary and Shri Ram Nareshji as first President.

From then on there was no looking back. In 1967 it had 2, 36,902 members. In 1984 Central
Government after membership verification of all major Central Labour Organisations
declared BMS as second largest Central Trade Union Organisation with 12,11,355 members
and during 1996 it was declared first largest organisation with 31,17,324 membership by the
Government of India, Ministry of Labour. The reckoning date of the above verification was
31st December 1989. In the subsequent verification held by Government of India for the year
2002, BMS retained its position of NUMERO UNO in the Country.

Of the 44 industries classified by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India for the
purpose of membership verification, BMS has affiliated unions in all industries. BMS has
membership of almost 1 crore in all States comprising more than 5000 affiliate unions.

BMS is productivity oriented non-political CTUO. It rejects the idea of State control rather it
views it as an evil to be restricted to inevitable sector like defence, but stands firmly for the
principle of public accountability of each industry and consequent enunciation of public
discipline. It tries to bring consumers as the third and the most important party to industrial
relations. For the furtherance and realization of its aims and objects BMS applies all
legitimate means consistent with the spirit of nationalism and patriotism.

BMS is significantly represented in most of the bipartite/tripartite labour and industrial

committees/Boards constituted by the Central Government including Indian Labour
Conference (ILC), Standing Labour Committee, Central Board for Workers Education, ESI,
EPF, National Productivity Council, National Safety Council, Negotiation Committees of
Public Sector Undertakings like BHEL, NTPC, NHPC, BEL, Coal, Industrial Committees of
Jute, Textiles, Engineering, Chemical-Fertilizers, Sugar, Electricity, Transport and the
consultative machinery of Government employees and various other Committees / Boards.
BMS also leads the delegation of Indian workforce in the Conferences of International
Labour Organisation (ILO).

6.National Front of Indian Trade Unions (DHN)

National Front of Indian Trade Unions (DHN) is an apex body
founded in the year 1969 with a view to provide representation
to working people, contribution in policy making and
accreditation and affiliation of Trade Union organizations at
National forum. It was recognized as a Central Trade Union
Organization (CTUO) by Government of India/Bharat Sarkar,
Ministry of Labour & Employment vide their Order No. L-
52025/20/2003-IR (Imp-I), New Delhi on 11th January, 2008.
The organization has shown its strength by having membership of more than 1 Crore spread
over in 20 states and 51 Industries including agriculture and rural sectors. It represents in
International and National Conferences, Committees, Councils, etc. as a recognized CTUOs.
NFITU has signed an agreement of Decent Work Country Programme 2018-22 with
International Labour organization (ILO) for “Creating a more decent future of work through
better quality of jobs, transition to formal employment and environment sustainability” is the
overarching development objective of DWCP (2018-22).

1. Promote, adopt and implement international labour standards for protection of workers
from unacceptable forms of work
2. Create sustainable, inclusive and decent employment for women and the youth, especially
vulnerable to socio-economic and environmental exclusion and in informal economy.
3. Tripartite mechanisms work better for protecting rights of workers through promoting
labour administration, occupational safety and health (OSH) and social protection
Union gave affiliation to "Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat" (HMKP), one of the prominent
National union founded by Late George Fernandes, Ex. Minister and Trade Unionist. The
combined strength of NFITU and HMKP has increased to 1.5 Crore spread over 24 states and
51 industries all over India. Union represents the workers engaged in various industries like -
Agriculture and Rural workers, Coal Mining, Building and Construction, Education
Institution, Hospital & Dispensaries, Forest workers, Iron & Steel, Petroleum & Natural Gas,
Chemical, Drug & Pharmaceuticals, Railways, Roadways, Hotel & Restaurants, Domestic,
Shop Vendors, Clothing & Garments, Textile, Tobacco, Hawkers, Electricity & Power,
Engineering, Financial, Fishing & Fisheries, Food & Beverages, Soap & Detergent, Cement,
Sugar, Gems & Jewelry, Glass & Potteries, Metal, Paper and Paper products, Personnel &
Security services, Dock workers, Printing & Publishing, Scheme workers, Daily wages
worker, Anganwadi workers, Self employed and Professionals and various other industrial
and agriculture workers. Further, NFITU/HMKP has joined and became a part of the Non-
Political Central Trade Union Organization's Alliance which is an alliance of like-minded
National Organizations known as Confederation of Central Trade Union "CONCENT"
formed on 10th December, 2018. Representatives from BMS, NFITU, TUCC, HMKP and
NLO united on the platform of "CONCENT" with determination to bring solution to the
issues related to All Indian Workers. Shri. C.K. Saji Narayanan, National President of BMS
is the Chairman of the Confederation and Dr.Deepak Jaiswal, National President of NFITU
became the National Convener of the Alliance core group. A National Conclave of Workers
is organized by Confederation on 31st December, 2018 at New Delhi in which a Charter of
Demand was adopted and submitted to Group of Ministers for it's recognition and redressal
from Government of India.