Crisis in Indian industrial relations

Crisis in Indian Industrial Relations is an authentic scholarly exposition of contemporary Indian industrial relations scene. The quest of the author is to discover indigenous industrial relations system based on India's own tradi tions, values and needs. It may be kept in mind that traditional Indian approach for settle ment of all disputes, including industrial dis putes, is based on constructive direct negotia tions between interested elements which is not only morally just but also socially and economically viable. After independence in discriminate resort to extreme coercive and non-democratic measures with arrays of draconian laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, populist declarations and promises for resolving labour-management disputes, with little con cern for evolving a desirable mechanism based on national consensus, conducive to democracy, productivity and social justice, has been the hallmark of labour policy.

The various foreign models, considered 'progressive', were indiscriminately borrowed to achieve short-term economic and political gains. All the dispute settlement processes have been overshadowed by an all-powerful compulsory adjudication system which the government consider key to industrial peace, harmony and social justice.

Obviously such systems have failed to take firm roots in Indian soil, leading to instability, anarchy and unequal partnership between labour and management. The various committees and commissions failed to resolve industrial conflicts as their recommendations were stereotyped or scuttled in interest of expediency and partisan considerations. Hence contemporary industrial relations and legal measures have been counter-productive to building bridges of understanding between labour and management. On the contrary it has been bedevilled by tensions, conflicts and even violence resulting in a continuing crisis affecting labour and management. This work is an effort to give a new dimension and direction to industrial relations system, coD sistent with India's traditions and ideals.