The Paradoxes of Social Partnership and Union Revival in India

After the adoption of economic reforms, trade unions in India find themselves excluded from the political processes and institutions that shape labour market policies of the state. Equally, the exigencies of global capitalism have as some argue weakened the collective bargaining power of trade unions. In this context, trade unions are being urged by policy analysts and academics alike to engage in cooperative relationship with employers. It is suggested that labour-management cooperation or social partnership will offer Indian trade unions a route to revive their fortunes. Using survey data from workplace trade union representatives of one of the largest national union federations in India, namely the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), this paper examines whether the policy prescription of social partnership has any merits for trade union revival. Findings indicate that despite a favourable legislative framework that may support enterprise-level social partnership, the ground realities of workplace industrial relations characterized by increasing employer hostility towards unions render social partnership an ineffective route for trade union revival. These findings are discussed within the context of judicial interventions in employment law and political affiliations of trade unions. This paper suggests union mobilization as an alternative strategy to social partnership for union revival.