Updating Records of Records of Trade Union Membership

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Rajya Sabha the general verification of membership of Trade Unions affiliated to Central Trade Union Organizations(CTUOs) was last done with date of reckoning as 31.12.2002 and state-wise as well as industry-wise result was notified by this Ministry vide order dated 11.1.2008. 

The registration of Trade Unions is done by the respective Registrars of the Trade Unions of the State Governments and the registered Trade Unions are required to submit annual Statutory Returns to the Registrars of Trade unions of the State Governments. The membership data is not required to be routed to the Ministry under the Trade Unions Act, 1926 and, hence, not maintained centrally. 

Section 28 (4) of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 provides for examination of the documents relating to annual returns submitted by the Trade Unions, by the Registrar or any officer authorized by him. 

The process of fresh general verification of Trade Unions affiliated to Central Trade Union Organizations has already commenced. This is a lengthy and time consuming process. So far, two meetings of the Standing Committee on general verification, comprising representatives from various Central Trade Union organizations have been held under the chairmanship of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the date of reckoning for fresh general verification unanimously decided as 31.12.2011. 

The Minister was replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.