It began after four different organizations were merged together. Government labour relations particularly in the downstream of the oil and gas industry in nigeria has not been short of conflicts. The trade union was dissolved on two separate occasions during the military regime. As a result, the labour market was characterized by a strong racial division of labour that would persist for decades to come. But the first recorded trade union was the nigeria civil service union ncsu which was inaugurated on august 19, 1912 at a meeting attended by 33 employees. The role of trade unions in nigerian industrial relations volume 1 of malthouse overseas monographs issue 1 of nigeria, industrial relations, dafe otobo malthouse overseas monographs. Human and trade union rights in nigeria industriall. Pages in category trade unions in nigeria the following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total. Trade unions and trade unionism in nigeria are said to be part of the legacy of colonilisation of nigeria.
Administration, university of lagos, nigeria email. A contemporary overview by comrade hyginus chika onuegbujp, acti, fca exofficioimmediate past state chairman. The main objective of this thesis is to examine how trade unionism affects workers. Find list of best trade associations in nigeria with their name, address, contact phone number and other information on vconnect. Establishment of international labour organisation in 1919 helped the formation of trade unions in the country. Nigeria in 1960 was also characterized by mass resistance, mass strikes and protests, enormous sacrifices largely by nigerian workers, their trade unions and labour movements. The guardian nigeria newspaper brings you the latest headlines, opinions, political news, business reports and international news. Trade unionism and wage agitations in nigeriathe nigerian.
The subject matter of trade unionism and workers in finland is of interest to both the. The role of trade unionism in a developing economy. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. In nigeria, workers have various unions which serve as the mouthpiece of members within the profession.
Trade unions have an immense effect on labor markets and societies. Despite the nature of its leadership, trade unions have always led or been part of all the major mass movement in nigeria. No fewer than 25 industrial unions from nigeria labour congress, nlc, trade union congress of nigeria, tuc, and others without affiliation to. Although trade union functions vary widely, the following outline is what would seem fairly representative, or better say, meaningfully significant to unions in nigeria noah, 2010. Trade unions in nigeria have played significant roles in the fight for democracy. Some notable contributions to democracy in nigeria were against military rule, especially during the agitation for free and fair elections in june 1993 and also in the fights against. However, in recent years, some professional unions, because of their strategic roles.
The central trade union in the country was the nigerian labour congress nlc, which was formed in 1975 as the umbrella trade union and recognized by decree number 44 of 1976 as the sole representative of all trade unions in the country see labor unions, ch. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act. Some challenges facing labour unions in nigeria such as disunity, financial weakness, weak collective bargaining process and dishonest attitude of trade union. The activities of trade unions, under the umbrella of the nigeria labour congress nlc. Any other workers trade union registered under this act and publish 1 from time to time in the federal gazette third schedule part b the jurisdictional scope of each of the restructured trade unions no. Read all the latest news, breaking stories, top headlines, opinion, pictures and videos about trade union congress of nigeria from nigeria and the world on today. We would like to acknowledge the international trade union confederation, the ituc, for supporting this pilot study on nigerias export processing zone. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. Federal university ndufualike, ikwo, ebonyi state, nigeria abstract. Introduction the doctrine of unionism has been in existence from time immemorial.
Trade union has played enormous role in the socioeconomic development of nigeria, given its statutory function in working to ensure that the overall welfare of the nigerian workforce is guaranteed. Nigeria labour congress nlc is an umbrella organization for trade unions in nigeria. A number of trade unions were established between 1919 and 1923. The two labour confederations have separate memberships. By 1975, under the military regime of general murtala muhamed one thousand trade unions were registered fashoyin, 1980.
In nigeria, trade unions fought against colonial rule and exploitation of the nigerian state during the colonial period. Trade unions as social movements and political actors in nigeria. Trade unions in nigeria and the challenge of internal democracy. Peace obiajulu, received the certificate of registration. The nigeria labour congress nlc and the trade union congress tuc are the central trade union organisation for the thirty six 36 industrial unions in the country and therefore provides a common platform for its affiliates. Trade union congress of nigeria tuc was registered as a labour centre on 8th of august, 2005 when the then president of tuc, comrade dr. Furthermore, in most developing countries, government is the largest employer of labour with private individuals employing a minimal proportion of the working class okene, 2007. The trade union congress of nigeria tuc gives fraternal salute to all nigerians on this special day, the 55th anniversary of our independence from colonial rule. Furthermore, the authors address the question of what can be done to ensure the protection of workers rights in. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act uzor anozieayoka, esq. Nigeria labour congress falls into crisis sahara reporters. List of trade associations providers in nigeria vconnect.
In this post, we will look at the problems and prospects of trade union in nigeria. In 1900, a growing body of wage earners had been called into existence in the country following the expansion of the civil and public services due to the. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to. The national union of textile, garment and tailoring.
They each have a number of affiliate unions in the different sectors of the economy. The trade unions act, as amended in this act reformed to as the principal act is further amended as set out in this act. A dialectical framework for understanding industrial relations in nigeria au. A contemporary overview by comrade hyginus chika onuegbu page 19 the period also witnessed the official registration of the trade union congress of nigeria tuc as a labour centre on 8th august, 2005 when the then president of tuc. The major aim of such unions is to defend the rights of members. There are numerous trade unions in nigeria under the larger coalition of two unions the nigeria labour congress, nlc, and the trade union congress, tuc. The 1st of october each year remains epochal in the annals of our country because it reminds us of our heritage, the vision and struggles of our heroes past, our present. The aim of the association or union in most cases often include. Nigerian industrial development between 1943 and 20. This is because before the coming of the colonialists. Some objectives of trade unions such as negotiation, representative body, maintenance of employeeemployer relationship, and promotion of.
Growth of trade union movement what is human resource. Workers of nigeria nutgtwn was one of the most dominant unions in the nigerian trade union. Trade unions have become an integral part of many professional bodies across the world. This paper deals with the significant role of nigerian trade unions within social movements and. Enacted by the national assembly of the federal republic of nigeria. Challenges and opportunities daibi w dagogo, department of banking and finance, rivers state university of science and technology, nigeria. Libert a sierra leonian who had been transferred from his country to nigeria. The main purpose of this research work is to analyze and evaluate if there is actually any relationship between trade unionism and the growth if public sector organization in nigeria with special references to. Nigerian union of local government employees and the. The roles of trade unions cannot be over emphasized in any organization.
The trade union congress of nigeria tuc considers the aspect of the recently signed finance bill by the federal government that hikes the value added tax vat from 5. Economic, political and social conditions of the day influenced the growth of trade union movement in india. It was founded in 1978 following a merger of four different organisations. It broadens the room for trade union freedom of association, allowing new trade unions to be formed by a minimum of 50 workers. Trade unions as brought about by government legal notice of february 1978, to the effect that nigeria civil service union and the then civil service technical workers union are junior workers unions empowered only to organise civil servants on salary grade level 01 06, the nigeria civil service. Government and business enterpreneurs generally seek to limit attainment of the aims and purposes of trade unions. Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul members, liberia. Itis a symbol of unity and strength of the countrys trade union movement. Trade union congress of nigeria news latest breaking. Different views are held about the role of trade unions what sociologists term as frames of reference in which classification is made according to their different approaches.
The story of trade unionism trade union congress nigeria. Madras labour union was formed on systematic lines in 1919. It is the union that serves as the umbrella association for trade unions in nigeria. The role of trade unions in nigerian industrial relations. Nigerias 10 most powerful trade unions premium times. Particular focus is on the national and international provisions that define workers rights and the extent to which they are complied with and enforced. The legal frame work of trade union activism and the role. Oluwakemi owoyemitrade unions and trade unionism in. This paper takes a colossal look at the function and performance of trade unionism in a developing nation with a special emphasis on west africa as a whole and nigeria ij.
Management of trade unions in nigeria under a recessionary. Trade unions are associations of workers formed to represent their interests and improve their pay and working conditions. The trade union movement in nigeria national library of. Section 1 of sub section 1 trade union act no 31 of 1973 defines trade union as any combination of workers or employers whether. All photographs were taken by imani countess, solidarity center in 20 unless otherwise noted. It began with a broad definition of trade union in an ordinary sense and from a legal perspective. Request pdf trade unions in nigeria and the challenge of internal democracy trade unions emerged from the efforts of workers to seek improvement on. The history of the trade union movement in nigeria also confirms the fact that when workers want to move, i. Labour unions and the transformation of the nigerian civil.
Farmers association of nigeria is an indigenous farmers association in nigeria improving and maintaining the welfare, terms and conditions of farmers. This is because before the coming of the colonialists there was in place some forms of trade unions and trade unionism. Erstling, t he r ight to o rg anise 3 international labo ur office, 1977. In terms of the nigerian trade union act section 1 of the trade union act of 1973, as amended in 2005, the major aim and purpose of a union is the representation of workers in the regulation of wages and working conditions within industry. It has been functioning in various fields of human endeavour, including professional bodies, artisans and others. The nigeria labour congress is an umbrella organisation for trade unions.