Collective bargaining in India: A critical analysis of its structure and framework

Collective bargaining is the process by which employers try to reach a deal on terms of employment and working conditions with the trade unions rather than with individual employees. This is usually done with the intention of giving employees a voice and facilitating better talks with their employers to satisfy their rights and demands, such as those related to working conditions, pay, and hours. Since businesses usually take action to address employee complaints, this strategy is generally very beneficial. Labour relations in India have been transformed by this approach of settling industrial disputes in both public and commercial enterprises. In order to understand its framework and structure in the Indian context, this paper aims to critically analyse the concept of collective bargaining in general, including a study of its scope, aims, types, conditions, environment, theories, and various levels, among other topics. This is because business and commerce will inevitably encounter problems, and it is impractical to have courts adjudicate every one of them. Consequently, using collective bargaining as a form of dispute resolution in the workplace has proven to be effective.