A research study submitted in pa1tial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management

Research Studies Project Report (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001

This comparative study on industrial disputes in India and Thailand is an exploratory study, since there is no comparative study made between the two countries in the field of industrial relations. Both countries are very different in terms of social, political and economic environment, but they both have similar machinery in place to handle industrial disputes. Although the Indian industrial laws are a legacy from its colonial past, something Thailand does not have, the two countries have a lot in common when it comes to the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes. The way the laws are implemented by the government or called upon by the employers and workers does differ, though, from one county to the other. Both countries have the necessary framework for keeping industrial peace. The machinery for preventing industrial conflict is even quite extensive, but especially in India not very appreciated. In Thailand bipartite ways to settle conflicts are more effectively used. When it comes to tripartite settlement of disputes, the government in India would rather be a little less interventionist and the one in Thailand should enforce its laws and so intervene some more. In the end it all comes back to the three actors of industrial disputes. Better understanding between labour and management, and more appropriate intervention strategies of the government will help the industrial relations scene in both countries.