Productive Role of Trade Unions in Pakistan (Selected Case Studies)

Abstract

The harmonious relations between workers and employers have a critical role in the growth of enterprise and well being of the workers. The Industrial relations laws lay the ground rules for the formulation of trade unions and associations in order to settle disputes between employers and employees. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was a great advocate of the trade unions and remained president of all India Postal Union for 1925. The trade unionism in Pakistan is linked to its birth that took place in pre-partition India. The trade unions have registered substantial increase and strength over a period of time. The constitution of Pakistan, Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 and the International Law gives right to the workers and employers to form trade unions and associations to safeguard their interests. In Pakistan, trade unions are often painted as a source of agitation, stumbling block in the working of the enterprises, and violator of law. The analysis and case studies included in this paper signify the positive contribution of the trade unions in promoting industrial relations. It shows that organized labour is more disciplined, production oriented and law abiding than the un-organized. The workers who are not covered by the industrial laws have no legal framework available for remedying their grievances, and hence are tempted to resort to illegal means. Therefore, Government, employers and employees need to understand the issue in its true perspective to make good the deficiencies as recommended in this paper for industrial peace and harmony to increase productivity.