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Trade Unionism And It’s Impact On Workers Welfare In Nigeria
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According to Ochefu (1996) labour's
venture into anti-colonial polities was borne out of the conviction that
the colonial state as an agency of capital had to be removed if labour
was to get a fair share of the contribution for production of goods and
services. Similarly, its alliance with petty bourgeois elements like Dr.
Nnamdi Azikwe and the NCNC way also informed by the concrete reality
that labour could not do it alone.
Ochefu (1996) further argued that
the colonial administration found it necessary to prevent the unity of
forces between the nationalists and labour unions because such unity
constituted a greater threat to the colonial government. The colonial
government reaction was in forms of intimidation, detention of union
officials while preventing the formation of a central labour
organization. They also fuelled sub-national settlements within the
ranks of labour and as well promoted ideological schism with segment of
the leadership. The actions led to fractionalization within the labour
unions which served to limit the effectiveness of the unions.
Cambridge
(1989) and Rodney (1979) have observed that union i,2aders played a
very significant role during the anti-colonial struggle and that though
nationalist leaders may or may not emerge from the leadership of workers
organizations, however, all nationalists' leaders sought and developed
alliances with workers organizations in order to destabilize the
colonial administration. This alliance made it possible for effective
mobilization of workers for strikes aimed at seeking political goal.
Ironically,
though the succeeding post colonial administration inherited the fear,
suspicions are hatred for labour from its predecessor. Trade union
activities were regarded by government as destabilizing to the interest
of the state. Hence, right from the First Republic (1960-1966) the
posture of government has been to regard trade unionism with suspicion,
and therefore took various measures to recapitulate the unions. This
deliberate action of the Nigeria government has resulted into state
intervention in trade union movement in what is regarded as the
principle of "guided democracy" (Olugboye, 1996).
A significant
instance of trade union activities towards enhancement of workers
welfare under democratic rule was in 1981 under the regime of Alhaji
Sheu Shagari when trade unions successfully mobilize their members for
general strike which forced the government to increase the monthly
minimum wage to one hundred and twenty five naira (N125.00k). The
prevailing democratic atmosphere during this period enabled the unions
to pursue its goal of improving the working lives of members though
struggle for wage increase.
During the current political
dispensation, trade unions have had cause to mobilize members to embark
on concerted actions aimed at resisting unpopular government programmes.
For instance, since 1999, when democratic rule was restored in the
country, the Federal Government has severally increased the pump price
of petroleum products. On each if these instances, the control labour
congress had to mobiles the workers for strike against the policy.
However, this did not go well with the government which responded by
enacting what is now popularly known as anti-Labour Legislation - the
labour bill of 2005. The law among other things seeks to decentralize
the labour union in the country. Critics of the Bill have argued that
the measure is meant to weaken the power of the Nigerian Labour Congress
which has successfully mobilized the Nigerian workers for strike
against the Federal government.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Analyzing
the Nigerian Trade Union so far, the researcher has been able to point
to the fact that over the years, trade unions in Nigeria have evolved
from informal to highly formal bureaucratic organizations. In the
process, an unstable, yet unique system of industrial relations seems to
have emerged in Nigeria.
However, inspite of the apparent militancy
and power of the unions, very little is known about the internal
dynamics of the unions. The closest attempt (Owarieta 1997) merely
addressed the general factors that lead to industrial conflicts in
industries.
Thus, such fundamental questions as the level and quality
of trade union organization, their defining ideologies and the motives
of the union 1 Waders are not examined. As Hartman (1978:70) has argued.
Some environmental constrains also contributes and impinge on
industrial relations in Nigeria. They are:
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This study is motivated by the unseemly variety of problems faced by an average Nigerian worker and the fundamental question as the level and quality of Trade Union organization their defined ideologies and the motives of these unions towards their members are examined.The objective of this study is to seek ways to correct these varieties of problems and to ensure that Trade Union has enough impact positively on workers. Two research questions were raised for the study while two research hypothe ... Continue reading---
