Trade unionism in Bengal before 1922 : historical origins, development and characteristics
The aim of this thesis is to describe and account for the development of trade unionism in Bengal from its earliest manifestations at the beginning of the nineteenth century to the formation of a trade union federation in 1922. Chapter 1 indicates the theoretical inadequacies of many existing studies of trade unionism in India, and outlines an alternative perspective, 'Trade unionism' in this thesis refers to all forms of collective action over work or labour market conditions in which all types of employees engage. Chapters 2 and 3 present evidence for trade unionism from the early nineteenth century to the mid-1890s. The engagement in some form of collective activity by employees from all sectors of the labour market, ranging from expatriate civil servants to 'manual' workers, is indicated, and suggestions put forward to account for the limited nature of developments in this period. Chapter 4 discusses three phases of increased strike activity, accompanied by the formation of trade unions, between the mid-1890s and the end of the First World War. This marked development is discussed in relation to changes in the labour market, price rises, and phases of political activity. Chapters 5-8 are concerned with
Gourlay, Stephen Nicholas
History
Trade unionism in Bengal before 1922 : historical origins, development and characteristics. The aim of this thesis is to describe and account for the development of trade unionism in Bengal from its earliest manifestations at the beginning of the nineteenth century to the formation of a trade union federation in 1922. Chapter 1 indicates the theoretical inadequacies of many existing studies of trade unionism in India, and outlines an alternative perspective, 'Trade unionism' in this thesis refers to all forms of collective action over work or labour market conditions in which all types of employees engage. Chapters 2 and 3 present evidence for trade unionism from the early nineteenth century to the mid-1890s. The engagement in some form of collective activity by employees from all sectors of the labour market, ranging from expatriate civil servants to 'manual' workers, is indicated, and suggestions put forward to account for the limited nature of developments in this period. Chapter 4 discusses three phases of increased strike activity, accompanied by the formation of trade unions, between the mid-1890s and the end of the First World War. This marked development is discussed in relation to changes in the labour market, price rises, and phases of political activity. Chapters 5-8 are concerned with
trade_unionism bengal historical origin_development characteristic aim_describe account development trade_unionism bengal early manifestation begin formation trade union federation indicate theoretical inadequacy many exist study trade_unionism india outline alternative perspective trade_unionism refers form collective_action work labour_market condition type employee engage present_evidence trade_unionism early mid engagement form collective activity employee sector labour_market range expatriate civil_servant manual worker indicate suggestion put_forward account limited nature development period discus_three phase increase strike activity accompany formation trade_union mid end_first_world_war mark development discuss_relation change labour_market price rise phase political_activity concerned