CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The organized labour union movements in Nigeria dates back to 1912, Nigeria workers like their counterparts in other developing countries have witnessed fundamental changes in their condition over time. To a large extent, labour unions have played significant roles in the transformation of most developing countries. Government is the largest employer of labour with private individual employing a minimal proportion of the working class (Fajara, 2000). In Nigeria, labour unions has become a very important agents of socio-economic transformation and class struggle (Aremu, 1996, Akinyanju, 1997) which began from the colonial struggle and continued till in the post independence era. In the later, labour unions played significant role in the struggle against dictatorial military rule in the country. In the same vein under the current civilian dispensation, labour unions is at the forefront of the struggle against unpopular government policies such as deregulation of the oil sector, retrenchment of workers and refusal to honor agreement on wage increase.

Nigeria is a third world country that comprise of labour unions spread across the country. The unions are structured into industrial line and as at 1977 precisely 42 labour unions were recognized by the Government and allowed to contribute enormously to the development of economic, social, cultural and even political system of the state. The role of these labour unions is usually regarded as people oriented because it tends to oppose Governmental policies and decisions not favorable to the masses through strike actions, protest etc popularly called labour unrest. However, in a multi ethnic democratic country like Nigeria, there exist different labour unions across the country. But for the purpose of this study, we shall dwell more on those labour unions that have in one way or the other succeeded in influencing Governmental policies and decision. In the past such as: National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAU) Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ).In 1978 however, it’s important to note that Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was formed and inaugurated and the 42 industrial unions became affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress with a legal backing of the trade union amendment Decree 22 of 1978.

 Again in 1989 the trade union was restructured to become 29 affiliates unions to the Nigerian Labour Congress after their role against the anti-people Structural Adjustment programme of General Babangida. Consequently, in 2005, the trade union act section 33 (2) was amended by substituting the phrase “central labour organization” for the phrase “federation of trade unions” the intention was to weaken the cohesion of the trade unions. Since time immemorial labour unrest has always occupied the front burner of criticisms and oppositions in Nigeria whenever the Government through its policies makes life unbearable for its citizens. Nevertheless most activities of the organized labour in the form of unrest to attack Government policies and programmes often result in underdevelopment and grounding of the economy culminating in loss of revenues and sundry economic activities. However, it is not implausible to aver that one of the greatest problems that result to labour unrest and consequently underdevelopment is Governmental policies and programmes on certain National issues especially those that affect the labour unions across the Nation. In the light of these, this research work is inspired out of the burning desire to interrogate the motive of the labour union in their activities through protest, strikes etc against certain Governmental policies and programmes through a critical analysis and alternative roadmap to labour unrest with a view to averting resultant and decay in Nigeria.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Labour unrest remain one of the most glaring problems hindering the development of this great nation especially when Government tends to implement policies and programmes not favorably for the majority of the people in the society (country). This is because the labour unions, using the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) ad TUC (Trade Union Congress) as the umbrella bodies tends to constitute parts of organization or union that keeps the country going through their daily activities. In order words, when there is labour unrest, the economy of the country tends to be disrupted and destabilized which is why whenever Government policies and programmes that are not favorable to labour are formulated, there is usually a mass protest and strikes that dislocates the economy as the civil servants who are very significant to the Government of the day also partake in the strike and protest by not going to work.

 Finally several research has been carried out on effect of labour unrest and socio-economic impact but not even a single research has been carried out on labour unrest and under development in Nigeria.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim and objectives of this study is to determine Labour unrest and under development in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the  study includes;

1. to determine the relationship between labour unrest and under development in Nigeria.
2.  to determine the causative factors of labour unrest and under development in Nigeria.
3. to determine the effect of labour unrest and under development in Nigeria.
4. to determine the extent to which labour unrest and under development has affected Nigeria.
5. to proffer possible solutions to problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS               

1. What is the relationship between labour unrest and under development in Nigeria?
2.  What are the causative factors of labour unrest and under development in Nigeria?
3. What is the effect of labour unrest and under development in Nigeria?
4. What is the extent to which labour unrest and under development has affected Nigeria?
5. What are the possible solutions to problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: There is no significant difference between labour unrest and under development in Nigeria.  

H1: There is a significant difference between labour unrest and under development in Nigeria.  

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on labour unrest and under development  will be of immense importance  to the  entire  citizen of Nigeria in the sense that ; it will enlighten both the government employer’s and private employer’s that human must be treated as human being but not just as a means of production. This simply means that human resource management should consider humanitarian view rather than authorative view only. It will also motivate any workers to know that challenging jobs must be given to the workers from time to time to protect and safeguard the interest of the workers and keep their tasks interesting. It will also educate the entire public that labour should not be under estimated that human beings have emotions and that the should be respected and whenever the emotions or self-respect of the workers will be played with. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of the study and basis for further research.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on labour unrest and under development is limited to Nigeria.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

LABOUR UNREST

  Is strike action or industrial action undertaken by labor unions, especially where labor disputes become violent.

UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Refers to that state of an economy where levels of living of masses are extremely low due to very low levels of per capita income resulting from low levels of productivity and high growth rates of population.