2013 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - India
Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
Publication Date | 6 June 2013 |
Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, 2013 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - India, 6 June 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51b8516e18.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Discrimination against trade union leaders and refusal to bargain in good faith: In March 2013, workers at the Mahindra & Mahindra's Nashik factory went on a tool-down strike in reaction to the suspension of their union's General Secretary, Pravin Shinde who had been on hunger strike to press for the renewal of the wage agreement which ended in February. Wage negotiations between union and management lasted for six months. However, despite several rounds of talks, the wage agreement was not renewed.
When the Milk Food Factory Workers Union demanded the reduction of working hours from 16 to 8 hours without loss of pay and job security, management at GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) Horlicks factory in Nabha adopted discriminatory measures against union members. In April 2013, false charges were filed against trade union members, 300 workers had their wages cut without justification and court injunctions were filed to stop trade union meetings.
Backlog of labour cases: In March 2013, the Labour Ministry reported that a total of 13,525 cases were pending in labour courts across the country. The highest number of pending labour cases is in Ahmedabad with 2,194, followed by Jabalpur with 1,914.
Picket restrictions: In February 2013, The Karnataka High Court ordered Karnataka Petroleum and Gas Workers' Union not to instigate any action within a 500 metre radius of three LPG bottling plants owned by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Bangalore, Shimoga and Belgaum.
Prohibition of strikes: In February 2013, Goa's state government prohibited strikes in any form in all transport services carrying passengers or goods by land or water under the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act.