9 Major Central Trade Unions Led by Various Political Parties

History of Trade Unions:- 1918 P.P. Wadia founded the Madras labour Union. By 1920 trade unions appeared in all states. AITUC was set up under the Indian National Congress to coordinate the efforts of trade unions in the country. In 1926 the Trade Unions Act was passed. In 1929 AITUC split and the right wing formed itself as All India Trade Union Federation under N.M.Joshi and the left wing was captured by the communists. AITUC again split and a militant Red TUC was formed under Ranadive. Another right wing union-National Federation of Labour-NFL- was formed and this later merged with AITUF to form NTUF - National Trade union Federation. 1935 RTUC merged with AITUC. In 1938 The BOMBAY Industrial Disputes Act was enacted which provided for compulsory recognition of unions, certification of standing orders, establishment of industrial courts etc. During Second World War AITUC and NTUF merged and became the only major union. AITUC which supported war efforts split and Indian Federation of labour was formed. During the war TU activities were barred under DIR rules. In 1947 there was another split and INTUC was formed under Congress leadership. AITUC remained a left wing TU .In 1948 supporters of Praja Socialist party formed HMP- Hind Mazdoor Panchayat which later merged with IFL and formed HMS-Hind Mazdoor Ssngh. 1970. AITUC split and the left communists formed CITU-Centre Of Trade Unions.In 1972 following emergency INTUC, AITUC and HMS joined and made a common platform. They formed a national apex body with employers’ organizations during emergency. After emergency they again split.Presently there are 9 major central trade unions led by various political parties.

• INTUC congress.
• Bhartiya mazdor sangh B. J. P.
• Hind Mazdoor sangh(HMS) Socialist party.
• UTUC R.S.P.
• UTUC (Lenin Sarani) radicals.
• CITU C. P. (M).
• AITUC Communist Party of India.
• National Labour organization (Old congess)
• National Front of Indian Trade Unions.

Besides there are 13 other central Trade unions in various national institutions and occupations -railways, Banks, postal etc. they are not affiliated to political parties or central bodies. Politically affiliated trade unions play a role in influencing the govt. in policy making on labour matters.