INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IMPROVE IN POST REFORM
ERA
A climate of harmonious industrial
relations conducive to higher investment and growth has been witnessed
since the new economic policy pursued by the Government from the
nineties. Equally the credit goes to both the management and the
workers for this. A review of data on work stoppages arising out
of industrial disputes reveals a significant improvement in industrial
relations scenario in the nineties as compared to the eighties.
The number of industrial disputes particularly strikes and lockouts
have shown not only a declining trend but also a steep fall. The
number of such disputes has dipped from 1825 in 1990 to 555 in
2001. The total number of strikes and lockouts has also shown
a declining trend. In public sector, the number dropped drastically
from 628 in 1990 to 112 in 2001. The private sector too has witnessed
a perceptible drop in industrial disputes from 1197 in 1990 to
443 in 2001.
The decline in the number of strikes
is more conspicuous than the lockouts reflecting a sense of discipline
and responsibility among workers. The share of strikes in total
work stoppages which was 80% in 1990 has come down to just 53%
in 2001. The total number of strikes which was as high as 1459
in 1990 went down to a low of 293 in 2001. The decline in the
case of public sector units from 606 to just 87 is remarkable;
the corresponding figures for private sector being 853 and 206
respectively.
