Trade Unions and Welfare Measures of Textile ...

Trade Unions and Welfare Measures of Textile Industries in Coimbatore District

Author Name : Smitha K, Dr. S. Emelda Mary

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anti Labour Union Laws prevailed in Britain and France before the Industrial Revolution. Das Capital of Karl Marx became the Bible among the workers.

Growth of Textiles Mills:  Textile Mills had started in and around Coimbatore district. In April, 1920, V.O.C., N.S. Ramasamy Ayyangar Mahalinga Ayyar started Trade Unions in Coimbatore district. Stanes Mill’s workers problem solved. They founded Kovai Thozhilalar Sangam in Coimbatore.

Expansion of Trade Unions: Basu Dev from Madras City was invited to settle problems of the mill laborers in and around Coimbatore. Other Unions like AITUC, INTUC HMS were started in Coimbatore District. Welfare measures for men and women laborers were started due to the growth of Textile Mills. Working hours were reduced. Agitations for bonus ended in success. Workers were benefited and their living conditions attained higher standard. Despite welfare measures adopted by the Governments, Mill Managements and Trade Unions, the owners of mills were not in favour of such measures. However, multi-faced social welfare measures were achieved.

Key words:  Industrial revolution, Das Capital, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai.