All India Trade Union Congress - AITUC

The AITUC full form is the All India Trade Union Congress. It is the first Central Trade Union of India and the second largest trade union federation in India after the Indian National Trade union Congress. 

Since AITUC has been in the news recently, it is important from a competitive exams point of view. Questions based on AITUC can be framed under the general awareness section of various Government exams. 

AITUC – Why in the News?

The All India Trade Union Congress completed its 101 years of formation on October 31st 2020.  This article aims to upkeep candidates with the relevant information about the AITUC, its formation, background, governing body and more. 

All India Trade Union Congress

Before knowing about the AITUC it is imperative to understand the trade unions and labour union first.

What are Trade Unions?

Trade unions are organised associations of workers in a trade or profession. These are interested in the economic and social welfare of the workers and are formed to further their rights and interests. In India, Trade Unions in India are registered under the Trade Union Act (1926).

Know about the Indian National Congress Session.

About AITUC

1. The All India Trade union Congress is the oldest trade union federations in India. 
2. Since its inception when unions became organised on party lines, AITUC was the primary trade union organisation in India working under the Indian National Congress. Know about the establishment of Indian National Congress on the linked article
3. Since 1945, the All India Trade Union Congress has been politically associated with the Communist Party of India.
4. In the aftermath of the Second World War the AITUC played a significant role in the foundation of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).
5. AITUC is governed by a body headed by National President Ramendra Kumar and General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur, both politicians affiliated with Communist Party of India.

Know more about the World Federation of Trade Unions on the given link. 

The table below shows the important facts associated with AITUC-

Aspirants preparing for any government exams can visit the link provided to prepare even better for the examination-

• Free Online Quiz for Government Exams
• Government Exams Free Mock Test Series
• Government Exam Previous Year Question Papers with Solution PDFs 

AITUC Background

1. The beginning of the labour upsurge against oppression and exploitation dates back to the second half of the nineteenth century, during the British Raj in India, with the emergence of a class of casual general labour. Know about, Impact of British rule in India.
2. Shattering of the self-sufficient village economy with no new structures in place and the dumping of cheap industrial goods that turned millions into landless labourers like artisans, spinners, weavers, craftsmen, smelters, smiths, potters, etc., who could no longer live on agriculture. All these led to  Poverty-stricken peasantry and landless labour forces. 
3. The widespread famines in India through the period from 1850 to 1890 resulting in deaths of several lakhs and also reducing millions as beggars.
4. This background did help the 1857 revolt by princely states and the common masses against the disempowering policies of British rule.
5. From 1905 onwards there was a notable advance in the working class actions. A strike took place in Bombay against the extension of working hours.
6. Another great event that led to the formation of AITUC was strike by industrial workers of Bombay from July 24 to 28, 1908, in protest against the pronouncement of judgment sentencing six years imprisonment to freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
7. The October Revolution in 1917 in Russia during the First World War was a great impetus for the Indian labour movement as the working class along with peasantry captured power for the first time in the history of mankind.
8. Strikes in India during the period was also a stimulus for the formation of AITUC. In 1918 a great strike in cotton mills of Bombay started and soon it spread to other areas. The strike against the Rowlatt Act had a great impact on the national struggle itself. Read about Indian Freedom Struggle List for relevant information.

It was in this heroic background that the preparations began on July 16, 1920, when a convention was held in Bombay which decided to hold “All India Trade Union Congress in Bombay”.

Formation of AITUC – All India Trade Union Congress 

1. The founding conference or the first session of AITUC began on October 31st 1920, in Empire Theatre Bombay with Lala Lajpat Rai as the founding President.
2. Other leaders who participated were –  Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, V. V. Giri, Sarojini Naidu, C.R. Das, Jawarharlal Nehru, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Annie Besant, V.J. Patel, B.P. Wadia, Joseph Baptista, Lalubhai Samaldas, Jamnadas, Dwarka Das, B W Wadia, R R Karandikar, Col. J.C. Wedgwood.

Know about the prominent personalities who were the part of AITUC from the given links-

AITUC in its second session in 1921 in Jharia had adopted a resolution of Swaraj (Complete independence from British rule), almost eight years before the platform of freedom struggle- the Indian National Congress adopted such resolution in 1929.

The table below highlights various national conferences of AITUC – 

Reference – Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Trade_Union_Congress]

The information on AITUC – All India Trade union Congress is important for UPSC aspirants because questions on the same can be asked in UPSC Prelims as well as in UPSC Mains GS I. Aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam can check the links given below –

1. IAS 2023
2. UPSC Calendar 2023
3. NCERT Notes Modern History UPSC
4. Previous Year History Questions UPSC GS I Mains

You can also check out the preparation strategies for competitive exams to fine-tune your exam prep.