Whose Reality?
Vinod Mehta Dimensions of Industrial Relations in India edited by B S Bhir; United Asia Publications, Bombay, 1970; pp vi + 169; Rs 20, SINCE Independence, a major objective of Government has been to achieve industrial harmony. With this end in view, it has enacted laws, devised codes, held tripartite conferences, etc; but the end is as elusive as ever. Industrial unrest is growing, and so is Government interference. Hence, the importance of the study of industrial relations. Industrial relations connotes not merely the simple employer-employee relationship but is far more complex; it has many dimensions which are not mutually exclusive, The book under review is an enlarged edition of the special number of United Asia, issued in commemoration of ILO's 50th anniversary. It seeks to assess and examine the multidimensional character of industrial relations. It deals with wage boards, workers' participation in management, trade union objectives, human relations, collective bargaining, productivity, and the psychological and sociological approach to industrial relations, There are 20 articles in the book. These articles, contributed by academicians, professionals, trade union leaders, and Government officers, are grouped in two sections. Section I, which consists of six articles, pays tributes to ILO and traces the influence of ILO on Government's labour policy. The remaining articles are grouped in Section II under 'Dimensions of industrial Relations in India'.