Indian working - class movement

The countries of Western Europe and North America good books on trade unionism are still scarce. Yet they can meet a real need both by showing the characteristics and development trends of the movement within different countries, and by enabling comparisons and contrasts to be made between countries. In every country trade unionism has common basic elements, but in each country the movement has its own distinctive features based on political and economic conditions, historical evolution and social traditions.

Indian trade unionism is of special interest owing to the country's economic and industrial development and substantial increase in the number of its industrial workers. Because of the British . connection until Independence, the legal position of Indian trade unions in its early stages was closely related to British legislation, while within the movement the long established principles and success of British unions had great influence. In its carly days its status was enhanced by the active interest which Mahatma Gandhi showed in its organisation and policies,. The movement was closely identified with the campaign for independence. From the start, therefore, the trade unions gave much of their attention to political action, and this tended to make them less effective in industrial relations..

The author of this book has already made a valuable contri bution by publishing in 1957 his earlier volume on Indian Trade Unionism. Demand for it was such that it soon became out of print. Also the movement is changing so rapidly that the present volume taking the story a stage further is opportune. The author brings to this task practical knowledge of industry and labour together with academic experience. His new study will therefore be of interest to people actively concerned with per sonnel affairs in industry, to those with governmental responsibi lities in labour administration, and to students and teachers in the fields of economics, political and social science and industrial relations.