Understanding labour dynamics in India
Abstract India has a labour force of 460 million, and 93% of this is in informal employment. Formal sector workers have permanent employment and they get social security. The informal sector does not provide any of these facilities to its workers. The Indian trade union movement has a history of more than 85 years, but it covers mainly workers in formal employment. They also have strong links with political parties, which tend to dominate their functioning. With splits in political parties (especially in the post-independence period beginning in 1947) or the emergence of new ones, trade unions become divided. At present there are eight national federations and several more that are not recognised. The other weakness of trade unions is that, with the exception of SLWA, they are based in the formal sector. SLWA is the only trade union for women in informal employment. These two features are hindering the development of the working class. At the same time we need to stress that trade unions alone can effectively provide protection and strength to the working class.