Union Membership in the Time of the New Industrial Relations Code

The changes in the labour law regime wherein four codes replace the forty odd statutes is slated to come into force soon. For the first time, the Industrial Relations Code seeks to provide for recognition of trade unions by management. Recognition under law would mean that management is obligated to negotiate and bargain collectively with the recognised union. In India, where despite most workers in an establishment being members of a union, managements have refused to bargain with the union for specious reasons, this offers an opportunity to establish workplace democracy. However, challenges remain for unions. Precarious work is pervasive, new forms of work where there is no single workplace are emerging and a whole new demography of workers, including young women are entering the workforce. Unions have an opportunity to adapt themselves and represent these new sections of workers, and ensure that they are relevant.