Industrial relations system in India

For many countries the 1970s has been a period of intense challenge and change in the industrial relations scene. National level committees of enquiry have explored ways to make conflict resolution procedures more effective, and in quite a number of instances legislatures have followed through with significant re structuring Changing fortunes of political parties brought groups from opposition into government, often with dramatic effects on national industrial relations policy and practices. On occasions democratic procedures have been suspended in the face of national emergencies. Virtually all countries, developed and developing alike, have felt a sharper cutting edge unemployment. Beyond this, most have had to struggle with immense difficulties raised through higher inflation rates all round. These factors, turn, shaped the actions of unions, employers and industrial tribunals.

The Indian industrial relations experience has ranged through most of these problem areas, and frequently beyond. Wage determination occurs within a unique institutional setting, in part characterised by the absence of firm government policies and principles. The declining repute of the industrial wage tribunals raises many questions. The growing politicisation of the industrial relations system has extended from the peak body level to the shop-floors. Most significant, perhaps, is the difficulty India has experienced in achieving adequate economic growth while attempt ing to push toward greater social justice, without exacerbating industrial conflict. But such conflict has moved into new dimensions anyway, and in many respects the performance of governments, unions, employers and other bodies in the industrial relations drama are open to critical review. This is the essential focus of Dr Dayal's book.