A trade union is an organization of workers in a particular profession or service created to represent their interests and also to promote and protect workers working conditions. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to four major. A trade union is an organization of workers who have come together to achieve. The first formal trade union was established on 19 th of august, 1912. Apr 28, 2015 the right to a healthy and safe workplace is a fundamental human right and decent work implies safe work. We need a trade union movement that stands unwavering in the face of current systematic assaults on. 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. At first, europeans captured nigerians who lived in coastal communities. Since its formation in nigeria over a century ago, it has transited. Team puma, a textile factory in the western cape legally strike over wages and the unilateral introduction of a new shift system. Labour unions and the transformation of the nigerian civil. Refuse to employ a person on the grounds that he is a member of a union. Sesli strike for higher wages and trade union rights 26 jan 2003.
Management of trade unions in nigeria under a recessionary. Generally, trade unions can be problematic for business owners as they attempt to collectively. Feb 17, 2017 trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act uzor anozieayoka, esq. Globalization and the trade union movement in nigeria. Heres why organisation is important to nigerian workers. A labor union, or trade union, is an organization of workers who have joined together to achieve goals in areas such as wages and working conditions. An international perspective abstract the right to strike is an integral part of the right of workers to associate with other persons to form or join trade unions for the advancement or protection of their interests. The history of nigeria can be traced to prehistoric settlers nigerians living in the area as early as 1100 bc. Inadequate attention has been paid to trade union proliferation as a fundamental source of industrial conflict in nigerias public sector. Trade union in nigeria nigerian labour congress nlc 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. The trade union movement in nigeria emerged out of this early resistance. Later, they used local brokers to provide them with slaves.
Pdf article history this paper examined the roles of labour union in nigeria industrial harmony and development. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to four major factors, namely. Trade union proliferation and strike actions in the public. This is one union that holds the country by the jugular when it embarks on strike. Put a condition in a contract of employment preventing an employee joining a trade union. On december 17, 2019, nigerias federal inland revenue service issued a sevenday notice to tax defaulters and announced that it will soon begin a nationwide tax enforcement campaign in order to pursue those with unpaid taxes. The story of trade unionism trade union congress nigeria. One mr henry libert a sierra leonean summoned a meeting of about thirtythree. Trade unions must also have registered rules that includes provisions dealing with matters such as the unions purpose, funds, accounts, membership dues, officers and discipline. Labour casualization is the process where workers in an organization. This is because before the coming of the colonialists. The recognition of the nigerian civil service union by the british colonial government as the first trade union in the nation in 1912 set the pace for workers rights awareness and the bravery and principle of agitation that.
Introduction to trade unions what is human resource. Get free research paper on the impact of trade union and industrial relation practice on organisational peace in union bank of nigeria. In fact the trade union movement in nigeria has been described and documented as one of the oldest in black africa. Trade union heres why organisation is important to nigerian. Between 1940 and 1950, some 144 trade unions with a membership of over 144,000 were formed nigeria 19401950, and the prospects for further trade union growth were very bright.
In the process, the paper will discuss the strategies that were appropriated to and therefore deployed in expanding capitalist practice throughout its history. The history of nigeria has been crucially impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, which started in nigeria in the late 15th century. Introduction the doctrine of unionism has been in existence from time immemorial. Trade unions and trade unionism in nigeria are said to be part of the legacy of colonilisation of nigeria. It began with a broad definition of trade union in an ordinary sense and from a legal perspective. What is the list of trade unions of nigeria answers. Origin and development of trade unionism in nigeria. Libert a sierra leonian who had been transferred from his country to nigeria. 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 evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to. Challenges facing trade unions in nigeria information guide. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to four. It is, thus, a part of the labour movement, which is.
In the united states, trade unions go by the name labor unions. The nigeria union of teachers was established to formulate a united front for teachers in primary and secondary schools in nigeria. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act. Thus, the study recommends that government should invoke relevant laws that will encourage casual workers to enjoy freedom of association so that they can be protected against exploitation and to give them a voice. International journal of history and philosophical research. The nigeria labour congress nlc has, since nigerias return to democracy in. Discriminate against a worker on the grounds that he is a member of a union.
The role of the various nigerian governments in the. It was formally registered as a trade union on august 15, 1978. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. 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.
National textile bargaining council is registered, a significant step forward in the unions long campaign for centralised bargaining in the textile industry juloct 2002. To continually promote, defend and advance the economic, political and social well being of nigerian workers. An analysis of industrial relations practice in nigeria and. The webbs1 defined a trade union as a continuous association of wageearners for the purpose of maintaining of improving the conditions of their working lives. Imoudu, the nigerian union of teachers and the nigerian marine african workers union. The aim of the association or union in most cases often include. Nigeria as a nation is closely linked to the history of trade union movement. The history of nigeria trade union nlcis an umbrella organization for trade unions in nigeria. Objectives, function, formation, regulation, rights and liabilities.
The trade unions act, as amended in this act reformed to as the principal act is further amended as set out in this act. Nigeria labour congress nlc is an umbrella organization for trade unions in nigeria. Oluwakemi owoyemitrade unions and trade unionism in nigeria. Apr 26, 2018 see below the history of nigeria trade union. As one of the key actors in the world of work, trade unions have an active role to play in. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. Nigeria trade union congress ntuc, labour unity front luf, united labour congress ulc and nigeria workers council nwc. The origin of trade union movement in nigeria could be traced to the pre colonial period. Pdf freedom of association and the protection of trade. The primary objectives of the union is to promote and protect the socioeconomic conditions and economic security of teachers in nigeria. Trade unions are associations of workers or organization formed together by labour, workers or employees to achieve their demands for better conditions at their work atmosphere.
An analysis of industrial relations practice in nigeria. Adewumi 1998 stated that the trade union congress in ghana was founded in 1945. Trade unions must also have registered rules that includes provisions dealing with matters such as the union s purpose, funds, accounts, membership dues, officers and discipline. 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. This paper relies heavily on historical facts as well as some existing literatures to conclude that there was in place some forms of trade union and.
Exclusion of courts 1 subject to the provisions of subsection 3 of section 21 of this act, no person shall commence an action, the subject matter of a trade dispute or any inter or intra union. The history of nigeria trade unionnlcis an umbrella organization for trade unions in nigeria. Background of trade union in nigeria the evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to four major factors, namely. Organised trade unions officially started on monday 19 august 1912 in nigeria when workers in the then civil service organised themselves into trade unions as was done in sierra leone egboh, 1968. 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. Freedom of association and the protection of trade union rights in africa nigeria as a case study article pdf available january 2007 with 1,053 reads how we measure reads. Secondly, a trade union is confined to workers alone. It has been functioning in various fields of human endeavour, including professional bodies, artisans and others. The nigeria union of teachers, nut, was founded in july 1931 by the amalgamation of the first two teachers associations in nigeria, namely, lagos union of teachers, lut, formed in 1925 with its.
Trade unions and workers union laws in nigeria mywage. The role of trade unionism in a developing economy covenant. Nigerias 10 most powerful trade unions premium times. 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. The right to a healthy and safe workplace is a fundamental human right and decent work implies safe work. 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. There are various problems associated with trade unions in nigeria and in other parts of the world.
Trade union is an association formed to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. The importance, how to, effect causes relationship, comparison, history, role, solutions are discussed. Trade unionism in nigeria is as old as colonisation in nigeria. It was founded in 1978 following a merger of four different organisations. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act uzor anozieayoka, esq. Human and trade union rights in nigeria industriall. As a result, the labour market was characterized by a strong racial division of labour that would persist for decades to come. However this union was not recognised and therefore suffered harassment by employers until 1938 when the trade union ordinance was enacted. This paper takes a look at the effect of recession on trade unions in nigeria and its implications for trade union practice and management in terms of the following variables. Growth and development of trade union in nigeria free essays. The trade union movement on the other hand, started after 1918, when the workers formed their associations to improve their conditions.
With the increase in the number of unions as time went on, the country was rocked by a number of industrial disputes many of which were illadvised, and a number of. The history of trade unionism can be traced to the struggles of the english workers. Some of the notable unions during the period of 1912 to 1938 were the railway workers union led by pa m. Islam reached nigeria through the borno empire between 1068 ad and hausa states around 85 ad during the 11th century, while. At this time, there existed guilds, mutual aid groups and professional or. This article highlights the major types of trade unions in nigeria and their functions. Trade union heres why organisation is important to. This development clearly carved out a different union or association for nigerian senior staff. Nigerias 10 most powerful trade unions premium times nigeria. Cole, a trade union means an association of workers in one or more occupations.
Pengassan is one of the 24 senior staff associations in nigeria. Union nrwu, however, marked a turning point in nigerias labour history. 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. Enacted by the national assembly of the federal republic of nigeria. 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. It comprises senior members of staff in the oil and gas sector, which is the hub of the nigerian economy. Nigeria to begin tax enforcement campaign dec 24, 2019. Numerous ancient african civilizations settled in the region that is today nigeria, such as the kingdom of nri, the benin empire, and the oyo empire. Before 1938 when trade union ordinance ushered in formal trade union activities, what looked like trade unions were in nigeria in form of trade associations, craft and professional trade association called african guilds and craft association. Oluwakemi owoyemitrade unions and trade unionism in. A dialectical framework for understanding industrial relations in nigeria au.