The Partisan Involvement of Trade Unions in Ceylon

Abstract

Deep political involvement is commonly identified as a dominant characteristic of trade unions in the newly independent states of Southern Asia and Africa. Trade unions frequently are led by politicians, maintain intimate connections with political parties, and participate actively in the political process. The close association between trade unions and politics has been linked to the prevalent social and economic conditions which promote protest and alienation and weaken the bargaining power of workers, the existence of conspicuous social problems and inequities, the politicizing influence of national independence movements, the paramount role assumed by the state as an employer and regulator of employment conditions, and, with the advent of universal suffrage, the attractiveness of trade unions as mass organizations for politicians.' The present study of the political involvement of trade unions in Ceylon seeks to examine the partisan connections of trade unions, the advantages unions derive from accepting partisan leadership, the benefits parties obtain or expect from trade union sponsorship, and the behavior of unions and parties in a highly competitive political struggle. Ceylon's relatively strong and well-established trade union movement has existed for more than 50 years and has grown considerably in size, aggressiveness and influence in the two decades since independence. The general characteristics of trade unionism and problems and conditions confronting trade unions in Ceylon are fairly typical of those found in the new states. Ceylonese trade unionism is deeply enmeshed in politics. In common with other new states, voluntary associations are neither strong nor numerous. The trade union stands along with the political party as one of the few agencies mediating between the large mass of the population and the authoritative structure of the state.