ABSTRACT

Political Funds of a Trade Union- A Case Study

Trade unions play an important role and are helpful in effective communication between the
workers and the management. They provide the advice and support to ensure that the differences
of opinion do not turn into major conflicts. The central function of a trade union is to represent
people at work. But they also have a wider role in protecting their interests. Most popular trade
unions in India are affiliated to certain political parties. These political parties are only keen on
making every grievance of the working class a political issue to attain political gains. As a result
the problem only gets wide publicity and remains unsolved. Political parties with different
ideologies or objectives works towards trade union objectives which is unfavorable towards the
workers interest. Majority of the trade union leaders are political leaders which is against the
interest of the workers and politicization of trade union is really challenging.

Separate Fund for Political Purposes

The concept of political funds is described under Section 16 of the Trade Union Act, 1926
follows:

 A registered Trade Union may constitute a separate fund, from contributions separately levied
for or made to that fund, from which payments may be made, for the promotion of the civic and
political interests of its members, in furtherance of any of the objects specified herein below:-
(a) the payment of any expenses incurred, either directly or indirectly, by a candidate or
prospective candidate for election as a member of any legislative body constituted under the
Constitution or of any local authority, before, during, or after the election in connection with his
candidature or election; or
(b) the holding of any meeting or the distribution of any literature or documents in support of any
such candidate or prospective candidate; or
(c) the maintainance of any person who is a member of any legislative body constituted under the
Constitution or for any local authority; or
(d) the registration of electors or the selection of a candidate for any legislative body constituted
under the Constitution or for any local authority; or
(e) the holding of political meetings of any kind, or the distribution of political literature or
political documents of any kind.
Also, it is given in the act that no member shall be compelled to contribute to such political fund
and a member who does not contribute to the said fund shall not be excluded from any benefits
of the Trade Union, or placed in any respect either directly or indirectly under any disability or at
any disadvantage as compared with other members of the Trade Union by reason of his not
contributing to the said fund; and contribution to the said fund shall not be made a condition for
admission to the Trade Union.
Devvrat Garhwal

2016032

5th Semester