In addition, a strong and enlightened labour union is vital for good industrial relations system and help. In nigeria, workers have various unions which serve as the mouthpiece of members within the profession. The need for this union to be established since december 1931 was because of vulnerabilities uncovered from the cuts in teachers pay rates and the appearance of supremacy in the profession. The other faction of the old tucn had, a day earlier, 20. However, trade unions forms part of the political rubric of society and. Trade unions in many african countries played a muscular and seminal role in the late 1980s and early 1990s in mobilizing the mass protests and strikes that led to the overthrow of old authoritarian regimes and ushered in democratic transitions. Trade union growth implications in nigeria by toyin adefolaju, ph. Since the formation of the first trade union in nigeria almost a century ago, 1912, the history of the trade union movement has been a mixture of triumphs, intrigues, manipulations and tribulations. It is the union that serves as the umbrella association for trade unions in nigeria. The legal frame work of trade union activism and the role.
Using a survey of nigeria labour congress nlc members, this paper. Relations in nigeria was in 1938 when trade unions were formalized on the legal platform of the trade union ordinance. Section 57 of trade unions act15, makes the registration of trade unions specified in parts a and c of the third schedule to the act automatic. Introduction the national union of textile, garment and tailoring workers of nigeria nutgtwn was one of the most dominant unions in the nigerian trade union movement in the last three decades of the twentieth century, with membership at points in excess of 75,000 workers. The state of trade unionism and industrial relations practice in nigerias export. The trade unions amendment act 2005 was the first amendment act since the civilian administration in 1999. There are several trade unions in nigeria that primarily function as a mouthpiece for its members. Nigerian workforce and that trade unions embark on social movement unionism. Hence they do by aiding the formulation of policies and programs for the government in various sectors. The first formal trade union was established on 19 th of august, 1912. People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our ai driven recommendation engine cited by lists all citing articles based on crossref citations.
In addition, a strong and enlightened labour union is vital for good industrial relations system and help to promote the interest of labour union. Trade unions as social movements and political actors in nigeria. Articles with the crossref icon will open in a new tab. Challenges facing trade unions in nigeria information guide. However, the recentlyestablished federal military government, led by murtala mohammed, refused to recognise the new organisation, and instead set. On the 20 of december the eta assassinated luis carrero. Apr 18, 2020 all you need to know about trade unions in nigeria, list of diferent associations, functions and their importance. Trade unions have become an integral part of many professional bodies across the world. It either involves a trade union or the entire trade unions. A brief legal reflection on the recognition of trade unions. Union entrepreneurs caused the formation of unions often as a means of improving their economic position relative to the workers. Trade unions in the balance ilo actrav working paper. This paper deals with the significant role of nigerian trade unions.
Trade union, also called labor union, an association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining. Globalization and the trade union movement in nigeria. The nigerian labour law section 1 of sub section 1 trade union act no 31 of. It has over 2, 25,000 members with over 5000 immigrant members. Nigeria labour congress nlc the nigeria labour congress is the association representing all categories of workers in nigeria. D 1,2department of sociology university of calabar, nigeria abstract. It assessed satisfactorily, the steady rise in the course of class oriented trade union. It notes that strong and united labour unions are prerequisites to industrial and national development of any nation. Hitherto, by the provisions of section 12 of the constitution, a treatyinternational convention is not enforceable in nigeria until same has been codified into a statute by the national assembly.
Trade unions as social movements and political actors in. Threaten to dismiss if he proposes to join a union or if he participates in trade union activities. A critical analysis of trade unions amendment act 2005. Pdf article history this paper examined the roles of labour union in nigeria industrial harmony and development. List of 25 trade unions in nigeria and their history africa. The national union of road transport workers is an independent nigerian trade union that serves the interests of transport workers in the road transport sector, by calling for collective obtaining and pushing for social stability for all workers in the transport sector as defined in its constitution. People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our ai driven recommendation engine. Scope of the study there are twentynine industrial unions in southsouth nigeria. The aim of the association or union in most cases often include. The roles of labour union in nigeria industrial harmony.
Objectives, function, formation, regulation, rights and liabilities. The nigeria union of teachers is a trade union that houses all the teachers in both government primary and secondary schools in the country. Payment of trade union dues to the federation of trade unions. From the findings of this study, our conclusion is that the provisions of labour laws and. The trade union movement in nigeria emerged out of this early resistance. A trade union often simply called a union, is an organization of workers who have come. In particular, unions have the potential to help forge more democratically. This study focuses on the influence of trade unionism and the enhancement of workers welfare. Trade unions generally played a major role in the nationalist struggle for independence in.
Trade unions in nigeria and the challenge of internal. How have the nigerian trade unions been able to retain and exert such power both. How can trade unions be made to be more committed to internal democracy. Refuse to employ a person on the grounds that he is a member of a union. Trade union funds not to be used for certain proceedings. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act. The national union of road transport workers is an independent nigerian trade union that serves the interests of transport workers in the road transport sector, by calling for collective obtaining and pushing for social stability for all workers in the transport sector as defined in its constitution the union was founded in 1978, when the government of nigeria merged together the following. But here are some of the major and popular trade unions in the country.
From this definition, a trade union is a voluntary incorporated association with the aim of regulating the terms and conditions of employment of workers subject to registration by the registrar of trade union in nigeria. There is no significant difference between male and female perception in trade unions in southsouth nigeria. This paper examined the roles of labour union in nigeria industrial harmony and development. Feb 17, 2017 trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act uzor anozieayoka, esq. Trade unionism and the enhancement of workers welfare in nigerian maritime sector. Section 316 of the trade unions act, as amended, provides as follows. This is in spite of the challenges confronting the trade union movement. In january 2012, labour unions in nigeria embarked on a general strike over federal governments removal of fuel subsidy and deregulation of the petroleum sector.
This paper takes cursory look at the development of the nigerian trade union movement. Trade unions shall constitute an electoral college taking into account the size of each registered federation for the purpose of electing members who will represent them 14. However, the courts will enforce restraint of trade clauses where it can be proven that it is reasonable as it affects the interest of the parties concerned the employer and the employee, the public and does not amount. It is against the above background that we shall attempt to examine the prospects and challenges of trade union unity in nigeria. Put a condition in a contract of employment preventing an employee joining a trade union. They might become too weak to effect credible impacts on the government, and trade union functions. It has been functioning in various fields of human endeavour, including professional bodies, artisans and others. Some challenges facing labour unions in nigeria such as disunity, financial weakness, weak collective bargaining process and dishonest attitude of trade union leaders were identified. The union lobbies to improve the earnings, job security, and quality of life of those. A trade union is thus described by the trade unions act as amended to be a voluntary combination or association of employees in the same industrial sector of the economy, whether such employees are in temporary or permanent employment, with the principal purpose of promoting the terms and the conditions of its members employment contracts. With the passing of the nigerian trade union ordinance in 1938, the numbers of registered trade unions as well as memberships increased. Pdf trade unions in nigeria and the challenge of internal. Under section 26, 27 and 27a of trade union act, the following classes of persons are prohibited.
Chapter 21 labor unions university of wisconsinmadison. Strikesthe law and the institutionalization of labour. An appraisal of the trade union amendment acts of 2005 in. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. Some objectives of trade unions such as negotiation, representative body, maintenance of employeeemployer relationship, and promotion of members welfares were noted.
However this union was not recognised and therefore suffered harassment by employers until 1938 when the trade union ordinance was enacted. In some other countries the unions intermittent strike movements and protests were critical in creating, over time, political space. Trade unions in nigeria and the challenge of internal democracy. Trade unions as represented by the nigeria labour congress nlc in the. Nigeria include the trade union ordinance 1938, trade disputes arbitartion and inquiry act, 1941, the wage board act 1958, trade union act 1969, trade union act 1973, labour policy 1975, trade dispute act 1976 including decree no. Trade unionism and the enhancement of workers welfare in.
To continually promote, defend and advance the economic, political and social well being of nigerian workers. This law opened the way for the registration of trade unions in the country. History reveals that hardly does any year go without one industrial strike or the other. Also, all trade unions in nigeria has one way or the other influence a ton of policies in their various sectors. Scnj supreme court of nigeria judgment tua trade unions act tuc trade union congress tda trade disputes act waca west african court of appeal wlr weekly law report. Some of the aims and objectives of trade unions in nigeria according to the nigeria labour congress nlc which is the umbrella body of all trade unions in nigeria are as follows. The law expressly stipulated the minimum number, that is five, required to constitute a trade union in nigeria 6 otobo, 2004.
Nigeria frequently fails to submit its reports on the implementation of the international labour organisations conventions. List of 25 trade unions in nigeria and their history. With this victory by 1976 there were about twenty four senior staff associations registered as trade union with a membership of 5,383 nigeria. Introduction the doctrine of unionism has been in existence from time immemorial.
The philosophy behind these was state control, and oppression of the masses. It said that trade unions in nigeria are interested in the regulations, measures and legislation made under the ongoing war and therefore asked the colonial government to consult them on such issues. All you need to know about trade unions in nigeria, list of diferent associations, functions and their importance. Under section 7 of ira, employees also have the right not to join a trade union. Whether temporary or permanent, primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workers and employers or between workers for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes the federations of two or more trade unions. The legal frame work of trade union activism and the role of. Objectives of the study the general objective of this study is to examine nigerian trade unions position on internal democracy. Are treatiesinternational conventions on labour and employment enforceable in nigeria. Consultative association neca and nigeria labour congress nlc and trade union congress of nigeria tuc, hereinafter jointly referred to as the parties. The trade union ordinance essentially created a platform to. National union of road transport workers wikipedia. Challenges facing trade unions in nigeria information. A challenge for nigerian trade unions i n 20082009, the human development index hdi for the northeast was 0.
A nigeria labour congress was founded in december 1975, as a merger of four different organisations. A case of nigeria labour congress michael oyelere regents. Section 21 of the trade unions decree 1973 which now governs the position is as follows. Full list of trade unions in nigeria and their functions. Human and trade union rights in nigeria industriall. Injunction to restrain misapplication of funds of trade union. Some challenges facing labour unions in nigeria such as disunity, financial weakness, weak. The paper concluded that disunity and politicization of trade union are major obstacles for the development of strong and stable trade unions which is an integral part of cordial industrial relations. Since all members of industrial unions cannot be studied due to limited time and resources, members of selected industrial unions. Discriminate against a worker on the grounds that he is a member of a union. The nigerian trade union movement has a rich tradition to protect and advance the fate of.
Most discussions of unions focus only on the issue of economic power and the impact of unions on the labor market. Service union pam is a trade union for the employees in the private service industries. They have become an important part of many professional bodies, and are majorly concerned with defending the rights of members. The roles of labour union in nigeria industrial harmony and. Trade unions as social movements and political actors in nigeria 1994. Most of them may be existing only in name, but very ineffective and. Labour act only covers employees engaged under a contract of manual. A brief legal reflection on the recognition of trade. The long decline of most of the industries in which manual trade unions were strong. In contrast to other global contexts, where diminished trade union density estimated around 20 % ibsen and tapia, 2017 is argued to have created the conditions for employer dominance of hsrs. While this is undoubtedly the main motivation for most people in joining a union, it is by no means the only important role that unions play in society. Trade unions, trade union movements in nigeria, right of workers, trade union rights. Nigerias 10 most powerful trade unions premium times. Pdf trade unions emerged from the efforts of workers to seek.
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