Workers' and Employers' Organizations in South Asia

Sound industrial relations remain a common and formidable challenge for both workers’ and employers’ organizations in India and throughout South Asia. Inadequate job creation, particularly of decent work, and the uneven distribution of the benefits of economic growth are key challenges. Social dialogue between the constituents underpins the ILO’s work, and the ILO helps to develop the capacity of these organizations so they can effectively support and represent their members.

Workers’ Organizations

The trade unions in India are involved in the implementation of programmes and projects both at the national and state levels, on a wide range of labour-related issues. They promote and protect the interest of workers in both the formal and informal economy. In India, 12 major unions are recognized as central trade union organizations and operate in many states: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS); Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC); All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC); Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS); Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU); All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) – formerly UTUC (LS); Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC); Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA); All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU); Labour Progressive Federation (LPF); United Trade Union Congress (UTUC); and National Front of Indian Trade Unions – Dhanbad (NFITU-DHN). HMS, INTUC and SEWA are members of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). AITUC is a member of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).

The unions in India face major challenges, including the growth of informal employment and contract workers, promoting the right to organize and bargain collectively, protection of migrant workers (both inter-state and international migrants), gender equality, lack of social security, and workers’ safety and security. The ILO works with the unions in a number of areas to strengthen their capacity.

Employers’ Organizations

In India, there are a number of well-established employers’ organizations, which represent the collective voices of private and government-owned enterprises, including small, medium and large businesses. They interact with the central and state governments and workers’ organizations to protect and promote the interests of employers. The Council of Indian Employers is the umbrella organization of three employers’ bodies: the All India Organization of Employers (AIOE), Employers' Federation of India (EFI) and Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE). The Council of Indian Employers is the ILO constituent employers’ organization and is affiliated to the International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

Among the key challenges being faced by employers’ organizations in India and across South Asia are: a) remaining relevant and sensitive to the needs of its members, in an increasingly competitive and constantly changing economic scenario; b) promoting innovation and higher productivity, which are key determinants of enterprise sustainability; and c) strengthening industrial relations and promotion of bipartite and tripartite dialogue.