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Exploring the Political Influence of Trade Unions on Policy-Making in Indian Public Sector Undertakings
Subject area: Management and Commerce · Area of research: Policy-Making in Indian Public Sector
Abstract
The influence of trade unions on policy-making within Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), focusing on wage determination, social welfare programs, and resistance to privatization. Trade unions in India, often politically affiliated, leverage their alliances to secure favorable policies for workers, such as wage increases and job protections. While unions have successfully advocated for improved worker conditions, they sometimes hinder PSU efficiency by opposing modernization efforts like privatization and technological upgrades. Through case studies in PSUs such as Coal India Limited and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, the paper illustrates how unions shape labor policies and affect organizational decisions. The findings highlight that, while union influence strengthens labor rights and ensures fair wages, it can also complicate government efforts to improve PSU productivity and financial stability. Future research areas are suggested, including comparative studies with private-sector unions and exploring the impact of digital transformation on union roles. The paper recommends strategies for balanced industrial relations, such as collaborative policy-making, transparent communication on privatization, and training programs for workforce adaptability. Overall, the study underscores the need for a balanced approach that respects union advocacy for worker welfare while supporting PSUs? need for modernization and competitiveness, contributing to a sustainable labor environment in India's public sector.
Keywords
Trade unions, Policy-making, Privatization, Wages, Industrial relations, Public sector, Modernization, Labor rights, Digital transformation
References
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How to cite this paper
@article{1705996,
author = {Prof. (Dr.) Dhirendra Kumar Singh},
title = {Exploring the Political Influence of Trade Unions on Policy-Making in Indian Public Sector Undertakings},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2024},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {620-630},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1705996.pdf},
abstract = {The influence of trade unions on policy-making within Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), focusing on wage determination, social welfare programs, and resistance to privatization. Trade unions in India, often politically affiliated, leverage their alliances to secure favorable policies for workers, such as wage increases and job protections. While unions have successfully advocated for improved worker conditions, they sometimes hinder PSU efficiency by opposing modernization efforts like privatization and technological upgrades. Through case studies in PSUs such as Coal India Limited and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, the paper illustrates how unions shape labor policies and affect organizational decisions. The findings highlight that, while union influence strengthens labor rights and ensures fair wages, it can also complicate government efforts to improve PSU productivity and financial stability. Future research areas are suggested, including comparative studies with private-sector unions and exploring the impact of digital transformation on union roles. The paper recommends strategies for balanced industrial relations, such as collaborative policy-making, transparent communication on privatization, and training programs for workforce adaptability. Overall, the study underscores the need for a balanced approach that respects union advocacy for worker welfare while supporting PSUs? need for modernization and competitiveness, contributing to a sustainable labor environment in India's public sector.},
keywords = {Trade unions, Policy-making, Privatization, Wages, Industrial relations, Public sector, Modernization, Labor rights, Digital transformation},
month = {July},
}