Analyse the workers movement in India in the pre-Independence period.

The idea of industrialization arrived in India in around 1950s that was largely based on western understanding of development through technology. At that time, the worker class constituted a small part of the population. The gradual framing of industrial policies helped to increase the industrial workforce in India.

It was in 1870’s when attempts were made in India for the first time to better the working conditions of the workers by framing laws for them. But it remained a very weak effort because of no concrete benefits to the working class due to it. The period of 1915-1922 saw various national freedom struggle movements. This period also witnessed the resurgence of the workers movements.

Organizations for workers movements- 

1. Working men’s club- It was formed by Sasipada Banerjee in 1870 in Bengal. He also started publishing a monthly journal ‘Bharat shramjibi’ to further increase worker’s cause.

2. Working men’s mission- it was formed in 1878 in Bengal by leaders of Brahmo samaj. The prime aim was to impart moral education among the workers.

3. Bombay millhands- it was formed in 1890 by Narayan Meghaji Lokhande in Maharashtra. This was to help the mill workers get awareness about their rights as workers.

4. Bombay millhands defence association- It was formed in 1908 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak to further the cause of millworkers of Bombay.

Apart from these organizations, many trade unions were also formed to lend support to workers movements in pre-independence era-

1. Madras labour union- It was formed in 1918 and was largely successful in making the labour unions get awareness about their rights and opportunities.

2. Textile labour association- It was established in 1920 in Ahmadabad following the “Ahmadabad mill worker’s agitation”. It was successful in getting a bonus to compensate for the price rise.

3. All India trade union congress- It was formed by B G Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai. It gave the impetus to the working class movements which started spreading strongly after support from AITUC. It also added an ideological tone to the worker’s movement.

The working class’ condition started improving due to organized struggles. Even in the present era, majority of the labour laws and policies are a result of the age-old worker’s movements. This shows that the impact of these movements have been timeless and ageless and still continues to teach our policymakers.