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. Trade union rights in africa 177c, ternal security act to charge trade union officials for holding meetings ofunion members, and in the commotion that followed a tradeunionist was shot by the police. Labour act only covers employees engaged under a contract of manual labour or clerical work. Trade unions are associations of workers formed to represent their interests and improve their pay and working conditions.
Trade unions are most closely associated with negotiating with the employers of a business on behalf of their members over the issue of pay. This is because before the coming of the colonialists there was in place some forms of trade unions and trade unionism. Nigerias 10 most powerful trade unions premium times. This report is one of several steps to implement the firm determination of the federal government of nigeria fgn to diversify the economy and, ensure that trade and companion investment and digital economy policies, function more. It began with a broad definition of trade union in an ordinary sense and from a legal perspective.
Nigeria as a nation is closely linked to the history of trade union movement. 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. Between 1940 and 1950, some 144 trade unions with a. Labour union is therefore vital for the improvement of the workers quality of life. 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. We need a trade union movement that stands unwavering in the face of current systematic assaults on. 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. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. This manual captures the essentials for effective trade union administration in a modern. To continually promote, defend and advance the economic, political and social well being of nigerian workers. Introduction the doctrine of unionism has been in existence from time immemorial. Trade unions can be categorized into different groups. However, the legal definition as we shall see shortly is not as expansive as that.
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. Secondly, a trade union is confined to workers alone. The colonial trade union ordinance of 1938 allowed any five or more persons to form trade unions. It was not until the 1930s, that the nigerian union of teachers and the railway workers union came to challenge this status. The 1938 trade union ordinance robbed off the nscu of this position.
Trade unions and workers union laws in nigeria mywage. This is a list of trade unions and union federations by country. 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. This union represents workers with a particular type of skill e. Sweden, the deunionization of manual workers not only in industry was strongly linked to changes in.
Put a condition in a contract of employment preventing an employee joining a trade union. It is, thus, a part of the labour movement, which is. Itis a symbol of unity and strength of the countrys trade union movement. The trade union movement on the other hand, started after 1918, when the workers formed their associations to improve their conditions. Cole, a trade union means an association of workers in one or more occupations. In 1900, a growing body of wage earners had been called into existence in the country following the expansion of the. The first formal trade union was established on 19 th of august, 1912. Trade unions in nigeria have played significant roles in the fight for democracy. Enacted by the national assembly of the federal republic of nigeria. Below is a list of various trade unions and their descriptions.
Labor unions have been a part of nigerian industry since 1912, when government employees formed a civil service union. The trade unions act, as amended in this act reformed to as the principal act is further amended as set out in this act. Types, structure and functions of trade unions trade. However this union was not recognised and therefore suffered harassment by employers until 1938 when the trade union ordinance was enacted.
They have played a crucial role in shaping the nigerian society, economy, and democracy. Egboh although a few trade unions had been formed in nigeria before 1938, it was not until after the passage in that year of the trades union ordinance by the nigerian government that many trade unions were formed by nigerian workers. This article highlights the major types of trade unions in nigeria and their functions. Industrial unionism and its bargaining correlates in nigeria. The essence of registration of trade union in nigeria. Growth and development of trade union in nigeria essays.
Human and trade union rights in nigeria industriall. The mandatory rule is that no member of the union may take part in a strike unless a majority of members have voted in favour of the strike in a secret ballot. The complete guide to registration of trade unions in nigeria may 29, 2019 trade union, also called labor union is 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. So tradeunion are the spontaneous reaction of the growth of capitalism 8. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act.
In nigeria the principal legislation regulating trade unionism which is the trade union act the act requires that a trade union must be registered before it can carry out any of the purposes for which it. Freedom of association and the protection of trade union. Union representing workers who share the same skillset or who perform identical tasks. It has been functioning in various fields of human endeavour, including professional bodies, artisans and others. Since its formation in nigeria over a century ago, it has transited. What is the history of trade unionism in nigeria answers. 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. 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. Trade unions have become an integral part of many professional bodies across the world. In nigeria, workers have various unions which serve as the mouthpiece of members within the profession. The article further argues that a denial or limitation by law and the public. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to. From 1912 to 1922, the nigeria civil service union, nscu was the only major union in nigeria. Trade union is necessary to bring about revolutionary and fundamental changes in social class order.
The story of trade unionism trade union congress nigeria. Anti capitalism approach by marx marx said that trade union is an instrument for destroying the capitalist class. 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. Trade unions and leadership in nigerias new democracy. Trade union congress rivers state council promote a cordial workatmosphere engaging her affiliates in a series of human capacity building and training. This trade union represents all workers with different skills in a particular industry. List of trade unions and professional bodies in nigeria.
The maiden nigerian annual trade policy report has been published by the nigerian office for trade negotiations notn. The government drew its support from the western african frontier force waff which was under the command of lugard. 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. The complete guide to registration of trade unions in nigeria. Trade unions laws in nigeria under the trade unions act uzor anozieayoka, esq. The history of nigeria trade unionnlcis an umbrella organization for trade unions in nigeria. Trade unionism in nigeria is as old as colonisation in nigeria. Trade unions as represented by the nigeria labour congress nlc in the. List the names of trade unions in nigeria who is the current president of nigeria labour congress. A dialectical framework for understanding industrial relations in nigeria au. The aim of the association or union in most cases often include. It was founded in 1978 following a merger of four different organisations. The role of trade unionism in a developing economy. It is against the above background that we shall attempt to examine the prospects and challenges of trade union unity in nigeria.
Pages in category trade unions in nigeria the following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total. Having firmly and solemnly resolve, to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under god, dedicated to the promotion of interafrican. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to four major factors, namely. 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. Trade union is an association formed to regulate the terms and conditions of employment of workers. And b on the basis of membership the indian national trade union congress intuc. Top 10 trade unions in nigeria and facts you should know. Challenges facing trade unions in nigeria information.
Refuse to employ a person on the grounds that he is a member of a union. This is known as the paybargaining process, and it is an example of collective bargaining the first stage in this process is for each side the employer and the trade union to decide on its objectives. The trade union movement in nigeria emerged out of this early resistance. Labour unions and the transformation of the nigerian civil. The legal frame work of trade union activism and the role. Nigeria trade union congress ntuc, labour unity front luf, united labour congress ulc and nigeria workers council nwc. 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. We need a trade union movement that stands unwavering in the. 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 corruption. 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. Discriminate against a worker on the grounds that he is a member of a union. Trade unions, trade union movements in nigeria, right of workers, trade union rights. Medical and health workers union of nigeria address.