People's Democracy

 THINKING TOGETHER

In the document on Tasks on Trade Union Front, adopted by the Central Committee in November 2002, it has been stated, “As communists, we are not opposed to the introduction of new technology since it leads to development of advanced means of productive forces in society.

“When new enterprises or industries are opened with new technology, we do not oppose it. However, when new technology is introduced in existing enterprises, where it entails loss of jobs… workers’ interests will have to be protected,” etc.

In view of these, how should one evaluate the anti-automation struggle in the LIC unit of West Bengal during 1966?

--- Himangshu Roy

THE communists are not opposed to and can never oppose the introduction of new technology since it develops advanced productive forces and thereby the levels of economic development.

However, in a capitalist system, technology is used for merely augmenting the profits of the capitalists and reduce the employment potential of the economy.

In a capitalist society, the communists oppose the adverse impact on the working class as a result of introduction of new technology, viz, the accompanying retrenchment drive, reduction of manpower; impact on health and safety of the workers, etc.

The long-drawn struggle conducted by the All India Insurance Employees Association in 1966, which successfully prevented installation of computers by LIC in Calcutta, was a struggle that was in effect a struggle against the LIC’s attempts to reduce the manpower after the introduction of computerisation. It was a struggle to highlight the ill effects of reckless use of computers on job potential in the country.

The struggle pointed out the arbitrary use of job killing devices by the capitalist class, and the task was successfully done by the struggle launched by AIIEA.

As a result of this struggle, the government of India was forced to appoint the Dandekar committee which recommended that before introduction of computers the employers have to negotiate with the trade unions and discuss the terms of introduction of computers. This was an important achievement of the struggle conducted by the AIIEA.

The situation has changed since then. The computer technology has advanced much and personal computers, laptops and palmtops have come in day-to-day use. Trade unions have signed collective agreements with the managements for providing protective clauses for job protection and service conditions. In certain areas, computers have generated new jobs, as in the IT sector. Even in the LIC, the computers have been introduced after discussions with the AIIEA. The union, which fought resolutely against introduction of computers, has ensured proper protection of the interests of the insurance employees.

Even in Europe and the USA, unions are today demanding reduction in hours of work for the employees who are working on computers since it strains the eyes of the employees. Cathode rays emitted by the video screen have adverse effects on the health of workers. Trade unions are demanding measures to protect their health. This question is being raised by trade unions in India also. Hence the party has laid a special emphasis on protecting the interests of the employees.

If any new technology is introduced by the management without consulting the trade unions, the latter naturally resort to agitation and resistance. The trade unions continue to defend the job and working conditions of the employees when new technology is introduced.

In certain industries the trade unions are demanding introduction of modern technology, as a means to ensure the survival of the industry in a competitive environment.

It would therefore not be correct to say that the struggle launched by the AIIEA in 1966 against computerisation in West Bengal was not correct. The struggle focused the attention of the whole country on the need for protecting the interests of the employees while introducing new technology.