Indian National Trade Union Congress

Birth and growth of INTUC

The foundation of INTUC on 3 May 1947-just 3 months before India attained independence.

Acharya JB Kripalani, who was then President of the Indian National Congress inaugurated the Founding conference of INTUC which was presided over by Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Among the distinguished leaders who attended the opening session were Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Shankarrao Deo, Jagjivan Ram, B. G. Kher, OP Mehtab, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Ashoka Mehta, Ramchandra Sakharam Ruikar, Maniben Patel and other prominent trade unionists.

Under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, the founding fathers in their wisdom preferred to let the INTUC have an independent identity with its own constitution, while at the same time functioning as an arm of the Congress.

INTUC Congress relationship

Since inception, INTUC has been maintaining very close relationship with AICC. On several occasions there have been discussions over the relationship between INTUC and AICC and the need for having continuous dialogue between the two organisations on issues of mutual interests. In order to have regular interaction between the INTUC & AICC a five-member Committee was appointed by the AICC in 1967 and Gulzarilal Nanda was the Convener. Similarly during 2002, an Advisory Committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Pranab Mukherjee. Three General Secretaries represented AICC in the Committee. On behalf of INTUC, G. Sanjeeva Reddy, General Secretary and two Vice-Presidents were represented. Later Dr. Reddy was included as special invitee in the CWC

Objectives of INTUC

To establish an order of society which is free from hindrance in the way on an all round development of its individual members, which fosters the growth of human personality in all its aspects and goes to the utmost limit in progressively eliminating social political or economic exploitation and inequality, the profit motive in the economic activity and organisation of society and the anti-social concentration in any form.

To place industry under national ownership and control in suitable form in order to realise the aforesaid objectives in the quickest time.

To organise society in such a manner as to ensure full employment and the best utilisation of its manpower and other resources.

To secure increasing association of the worker in the administration of industry and their full participation in its control.

To promote generally the social civic and political interest of the working class to secure an effective and complete organisation of all categories of workers, including agricultural labour.

To guide and co-ordinate the activities of the affiliated organisations.

To assist and co-ordinate the activities of the affiliated organisations.

To assist in the formation of trade unions.

To promote the organisation of workers of each industry on a nationwide basis.

To assist in the formation of Regional or Pradesh Branches or Federations.

To secure speedy improvement of conditions of work and life and of the status of the workers in industry and society.

To obtain for the workers various measures of social security, including adequate provision in respect of accidents, maternity, sickness, old age and unemployment.

To secure a living wage for every worker in normal employment and to bring about a progressive improvement in the workers standard of living.

To regulate hours and other conditions of work in keeping with the conditions of the workers and to ensure the proper enforcement of legislation for the protection and up-lift of labour.

To establish just industrial relations.

To secure redressal of grievances, without stoppages of work, by means of negotiations and conciliation and failing these by arbitration or adjudication.

To take recourse to other legitimate method, including strikes or any suitable form of satyagraha, where adjudication is not applied and settlement of disputes within a reasonable time by arbitration is not available for the redress of grievances.

To make necessary arrangements for the efficient conduct satisfactory and speedy conclusion of authorised strikes or satyagraha.

To foster the spirit of solidarity, service, brotherhood co-operation and mutual help among the workers.

To develop in the workers a sense of responsibility towards the industry and community.

To raise the workers' standard of efficiency and discipline.

–mahadma taileros congrss