Need for trade unions and its recognition

Some think Trade Unions as the ‘interest group’ with the primary objective of increasing its members wages at the cost of productivity without any social response. While other view is that the Unions can be a reason for improving productivity by enhancing the effectiveness of its members. However the negative view is much dominant in the minds of majority as they feel the trade unions propagate their members interest more at the cost of economy. The right to organize or form a union is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India under Article 19(1) (c). Even after 66 years of Independence, generally applications are sent for registration in a discreet manner by the active members. Only on the registration of Union by the Registrar, the information about formation of Trade Union is made public. There is a distinction between registration of a union and its recognition. However there is no statutory provision for recognition of a trade union. Recent workers’ protest across the country revolved around recognition of union and its very existence. The right to collective bargaining is a fundamental right endorsed by the members of the ILO in joining the organization, which they have an obligation to respect, to promote and to realize, in good faith. Trade Unions are a reality. A Management may think that the leadership of a particular trade union is militant, yet even such a union when it obtains a recognized status, it has to act within the four corners of law and discipline.. The question as to who should be the representative of the workmen is an aspect which has to be decided by the workmen themselves. It cannot be left to the Management that it will recognize a particular Union which it considers to be representative of the workmen. Organization cannot operate in isolation. Each institution is having a key role.