It would not be wrong to acknowledge that Industrial Relations as a concept largely emerged during the Industrial Revolution in the 1790s. There were social and political effects of the revolution, as it not only affected the economy but also created certain social and political implications, which in turn paved the way for trade unionism.[1] The Industrial Revolution led to concentration of population in big towns because factories and other business establishments were located there. This gave birth to housing problem. Even today, numerous workers continue to live in slum areas in major industrial towns. People from villages came to the towns in search of employment. Their close ties with the village, land and family were broken. The Industrial Revolution created conditions under which workers aimed at material progress by working in factories. This led to disintegration of joint family system.
The Industrial Revolution gave birth to two classes – capitalists and workers. There was economic inequality between the rich and poor. Gradually, class consciousness creeped in the minds of workers and they organised themselves in the form of unions to fight for their economic, social and political rights. Click here to read more..
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