SOME THOUGHTS ON OUR TRADE-UNIONS

The primary function of trade unions, from the employees' point of view is to protect and fight against the violation of their legal rights and the current norms of fairness, equality and social justice. Trade unions have lost some of their impact in Western societies, while at the same time, they have become more independent in the newly liberated socialist countries of eastern Europe, The founding fathers of Indian unions had special sensitivity to the workers' experiences of poverty and exploitation. But unfortunately, the dominant characteristics of our trade union movement are fragmentation, disunity, internecine wars and dependence on political patronage. Trade unions are also divided on ideological orientations and are vulnerable to government's manipulation. Now we are in the midst of a significant metamorphosis in trade unionism.