Abstract:
be main objective of this study was to investigate and describe t he nature of trade unionism
i the plantation sector in Sri Lanka with specific relevance to the political, socio-economic
nd legal aspects. Primary and secondary sources were utilized for the study. The methods
f primary sources were in-depth interviews and a structured questionnaire.
lb begin with some of the existing theories of trade unionsm were discussed to understand
he types and behaviour of trade unions in the plantation sector. In order to examine the
elevance and obsolescence of the legislation on Indian immigrant labour,they were
ssembled in a chapter. The industrial law of Sri Lanka was included in the same chapter as
hat law too applied to the plantation sector. A historical overview of the trade union
ehaviour was done to identify the success and setbacks of the trade unions in a hostile
alitical, socio-economic and legal setting. Privatisation was discussed next as it brought
bout a major change in the ownership of plantations with mixed response from the trade
lions. An investigation of the political,socio-economic and legal aspects of trade unionism
i the plantation sector formed the specific area of this study.
