Freedom of Association in India and International Labour Standards

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Right from 1919, when the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was established under the Treaty of Versailles following the First World War, India has been a Founding Member and active participant in all the affairs of the ILO, being a permanent member of its Governing Body. Freedom of Association, particularly of workers through their representative organisations, has been a cornerstone of the ILO policy and objectives. From 1947 onwards, India, with its democratic set-up has been a model as well as an object of criticism and comment from the supervisory bodies of the ILO. To what extent are the criticisms and comments justified? Were there any mitigating circumstances? Likewise, what has been India’s record in ratifying Conventions adopted by the International Labour Conferences overthe years? Has there been any perceptible change in the approach adopted by the Indian government in the matter of ratification of Conventions, particularly those relating to basic human rights? These and many other issues are raised and discussed in Freedom of Association in India and International Labour Standards in the light of cases and governmental responses from India. The book also examines the principles of freedom of association as they have developed within India, particularly with regard to organizations of government employees, industrial workers, managerial and supervisory staff, rural workers and others. It further examines the complaints from India to the Committee on Freedom of Associationof the ILO, the role of the supervisory bodies and evaluates the influence of international labour standards on labour law and policy in India with respect to freedom of association and collective bargaining.