In an important appeal filed by a major gas supply utility, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled on May 22, that “purported arrangement/contract between the company and their purported labour contractors could not be allowed to be used as a device to deprive the workers of their legitimate and fundamental right of forming a union or becoming part of it”.

This verdict has been hailed by rights activists and trade unionists across the country as a major relief for labourers hired through various labour contractors. It is vital to review the status and performance of trade unions in fulfilling their desired roles for the workers they represent and the interest of enterprises where they serve.

Many a social science researches regarded trade unions as one of the most effective institutions for the well-being of diversified worker classes. They evolved from such contexts which were the launching grounds of industrial revolution. Under rapid technological advancements that aimed at achieving prosperity and wealth in the first place, a vast segment of the western worker cadres was acutely exploited.

Whether manual craft guilds or high scale labour intensive industries, the employer was the final authority to decide on labour affairs. After remaining disarrayed and aloof for a sizable time, the workers realised that the solution to their sufferings lay in internal organisation and collective bargaining. A very powerful platform of human organisation evolved that attempted to change the social processes far beyond the worker-employer relationship. It filled a political vacuum by providing options, leadership and organised manpower.

The rise of trade unionism in the early twentieth century had a direct relationship with an emerging political ideology – socialism under an all-left leadership and paradigm. The phenomenon spread to every cross-section of society and the flow of fresh ideas, progressive approaches and intellectual input contributed significantly to bolstering the position of the labour force.

With the eclipse of socialism as an alternative political ideology, the world appears to be impoverished in visions to choose from and apply for collective benefit. The stringent control of the market forces on all segments of social and economic life has left trade unions in tatters. The trade unions are now left to grapple with the aftermath of the new world order which thrives on new market procedures.

Public institutions and production houses around the world – which were the real arsenal of strength for trade union movement – are being privatised. The trade unions in these sectors were hardly able to make a difference, let alone handle the policy moves.

The role of trade unions seems therefore to have shrunk. Whether in lobbying for universal rights or dealing with specific cases of mal-treatment and injustice, the unions seem to have lost their battle against juggernaut of globalisation.

The problem is not confined to Pakistan. It is being witnessed in all quadrants of the developed and the developing world. Despite being an institutional platform which once generated outstanding leadership, trade union movement is on the run for its survival.

Trade unionism in Pakistan was affected by the military dictatorships that ruled the country for more than half the time since independence. Despotic military rulers tried to muzzle any potential platform for organised resistance.

Workers’ organisations were among their prime targets along with student unions, political parties, journalists’ bodies and lawyers’ associations. Workers were thus left at the mercy of often-hostile managements.

Trade unions have also been affected by internal strife. Many trade union leaders act on whims in blatant disregard of the larger benefit to the community they represent. A well-known trade union leader from a nationalised commercial bank connived with the management in its downsizing drive in 1996. He and a handful of his cronies retained their jobs.

Elected governments too have been using coercive tactics. In 1992, in the foremost steel manufacturing plant in Karachi, the government banned the trade union and planted a man in uniform to weed out opposition from trade unions. This was made possible by a clandestine deal between the pro-establishment administration and a few black sheep among union leaders.

Similar incidences in recent times have shown that internal weakness and vulnerability to outside pressures rarely allow unions to put up meaningful resistance.

This has allowed private sector businesses to dictate terms to workers in their organisations. Private businessmen, industrialist and corporate organisations have always regarded unions as a deadly threat to their profits. However, there was a time when they found them forced to negotiate with them.

Over time, they appear to have found other alternatives. To circumvent unions, contract labour is now replacing permanent employment. Some of the leading cartels have done away with organised labour unions by forcing employees to change their status.

From textiles to publishing, garments to flour mills and automobile assembly to chemical plants, contract labourers have replaced career workers. In case of slightest disagreement, a worker can be fired without even assigning a reason or serving a notice. The pickets, hunger strikes, closures and street protests of the past are no longer viable options. Managements use such incidents as a pretext for harsh measures against workers.

In order to develop workable options for their members, trade unionis must study the situation carefully and analyse it in an objective manner. They need to continuously educate and inform themselves about the existing laws forthcoming changes in government policies.

There is a need also to establish links with intellectuals. Trade unionists must drop the conventions and adopt innovations. They need to raise their power by improving the tradability of their skills and experience.

Through challenges like the present and post-Covid 19 closures, impending lay-offs and more, trade unionists must be prepared for tough negotiations with their employers.