Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background of the 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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

1.2 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

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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.

However the study shall make a critical appraisal of

some of the major cases (protest and strikes) by labour

unions and also investigate their modus operandi so as

to River at the objectives of the study in the quest of

doing this the following research question would serve as

a guide.

i. Are public policies responsible for labour unrest

in Nigeria?

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ii. Is underdevelopment a consequent of labour

unrest in Nigeria?

iii. Can dialogue and collective bargaining curb

labour unrest in Nigeria?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of the study is to assess the

consequences of labour unrest on Nigeria’s development.

Thus the specific objectives of the study are:

(i) To ascertain if public policies are responsible for

labour unrest in Nigeria.

(ii) To determine if underdevelopment is a

consequence of labour unrest in Nigeria.

(iii) To discover if dialogue and collective bargaining

can curb labour union in Nigeria

1.4 Literature Review

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The literature review of this work is based on 2 concepts

via-a-viz labour unrest and underdevelopment.

These concepts are social science concepts which of

course lack clearly definite definition hence scholars see

it from their own view point and encapsulated.

Firstly labour union according to Fagane (2009) is any

combination whether temporary or permanent. According

to him its principal objectives are the regulation of the

relationship between work-men and workmen or between

masters and masters or the imposing of restrictive

conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and

also the provision and benefits of members.

However labour union is important to note are the main

power resource of working people. The power in this

collectivity of workers tends to promote the resolution of

a variety of problems faced by the workforce which help

in Nation building.

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Labour unrest according to Amesen Eric (2007) is a term

used by employers or those generally in the business

community to describe organizing the strike actions

undertaken by labour unions especially where labour

disputes become violent or where industrial actions

which members of a workforce obstruct the normal

process of business and generate industrial unrest are

essayed.

Labour unrest could be defined as the disruption of the

day to day labour activities that generates income both

local and international In the country and makes the

economy stagnant for a while due to the strike action and

protest by labour unions in the process of facilitating the

interest of their members endangered by Government

policies unfavorable to them (Labour Unions). However

unrest in organization and industrial establishment can

be disruptive when the organizational goals are stressful

to the health of industrial workers.

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Again labour unrest can be defined as the inability of

members in a role set are unable to reach an agreement

on an issue concerned with the objective of interaction.

There is hardly any gainsaying the fact that industrial

conflict on labour unrest are realities of any economic

system where workers and the management interact.

Labour unrest seems to be more pronounced in public

sector organization most especially. Anugwom and

Ukaegbu (1998) argue that public union have substantial

market power and are usually in a position to play a key

role in the political process and its this unique

positioning that make them conflict prone.

Dimension of Labour Unrest

Labour unrest is so closely related to loss of peace

because like Ofube (2001) argues that unrest (conflict) is

as central to life because like we know life without

conflict is no life. Therefore labour unrest is not

abnormal in any organization (private or public). Hence

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in the public sector workers are always disenchanted

with the Government over its handling of workers welfare

and the general penury facing the nation.

Anugwom (1997) views the dimension of labour unrest as

a situation when the economic depression in the country

as exposing workers to a high level of economic hardship.

He further contends that the public sector workers

especially have been faced by given economic realities

and may have seen unrest as a way of breaking loose

from the shackles of economic deprivation.

Okechukwu R. O. (2002) expresses his view in the labour

unrest in Nigeria especially the June 2000 strike and

argued that some Government policies that are

unfavorable to the workers tend to generate the often

strike action and protest leading to labour unrest.

Finally it’s important to understand here that when

Government formulates policies not favorable to labour

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unions they adopt some strategies or dimensions leading

to labour unrest in the country.

(a) Labour Unions threaten the Government by

issuing ultimatum within which its demand will

be met. Thus failure of the Government to oblige

them may elicit strike or demonstration thereby

leading to labour unrest.

(b) Propaganda using mass media and handbills is

another dimension of labour unrest; here workers

all over the federation are notified on the latest

development and even the public.

(c) Employment of protests strikes and

demonstrations is another dimension of labour

unrest which could be peaceful or violent.

In economics underdevelopment is when resources are

not used to their full socio-economic potential with the

result that local development is slower in most cases

than it should be. more so it results from the complex

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interplay of internal and external factors that allow less

developed countries only a lop-sided development

progression.

Effects of labour unrest and underdevelopment

(i) Underdeveloped countries have low reservoir of

natural resources and as such any kind of labour

unrest tends to destroy some of these resources

in the country.

(ii) Socio-economic inequality: This is another effect

that propagates labour unrest in Nigeria that

leads to underdevelopment.

(iii) Low level of industrialization.

(iv) An unconditional policy is another effect of

labour unrest and underdevelopment that

hinders development in Nigeria because

Government policy not favorable to this labour

union across the federation tends to generate

labour unrest.

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Ezema (2007) contends that most labour union and

workers are often very restless and confrontational in

their approach to issues which affect them as a group

such as not fulfilling some of the employment contracts

and as such workers result to anti-government posture

which if care is not taken can lead to labour unrest or

even tear the state apart.

The existing gap here is that Government always perceive

the workers as lazy uncooperative individuals who

always hold secret labour meetings and plan drastic

actions against Government and any other organization

they consider threat to their interest while on the other

hand workers (labour unions) perceive the Government

as exploiting them especially when they make policies

concerning labour without labours consultations

(Chukwu 2008). It is this perceptual basis arising from

the Government and the workers that sometimes serve as

the “brewing pot” of labour unrest. Hence the Nation

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tends to loose a great deal of financial and material

resources (Akereke 2010).

1.5 Significance of the Study

Essentially every research is a quantum of knowledge;

this study will therefore be of a theoretical significance to

future researchers as it is going to enclose the identified

questions. Also it is going to add to the existing body of

literature as it tends to extend the frontier of knowledge.

The study will definitely put the icing on the case already

existing literature of labour unrest and

underdevelopment in Nigeria.

Thus its importance lies in the very fact that labour

unrest is currently a prevailing cancaworm and it is very

spontaneous and topical. However this work will in the

long run guide the Government in the quest to quell

further problems associated with labour unrest and

underdevelopment in Nigeria in the nearest future.

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1.6 Theoretical Framework

The relative deprivation frustration aggression theory will

stand as the theoretical framework of this study Dollard

(1939) postulates that the primary source of the human

capacity for violence appears to be frustration aggression

mechanism.

Thus according to him anger induced by frustration is a

motivating force that disposes man to aggression.

Frustration is an interference with goal directed behavior.

According to Gurr “Relative Deprivation is a perceived

discrepancy between relative deprivation and their value

capabilities”.

Value expectations are the goods and conditions of life to

which people believe they are rightfully entitled. Value

capabilities are goals and conditions they think they are

capable of attaining and maintaining given the social

means available to them. Gurr also suggests some

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variables that affect the intensity of emotional respond to

the perception of deprivation.

The first proposition is that the greater the extent of

discrepancy the man sees between what they seek and

what seems to be attainable the greater their anger and

consequence disposition to aggression.

The second proposition relates to oppositions “men who

feel they have many ways to attain their pals are less

likely to become angry when one is blocked than those

who have very few alternatives.

The third general proposition is that the greater the

intensity of men’s expectations the greater their anger

when they meet unexpected or increased resistance.

Gurr further states four (4) intervening variables in his

quest to expatiate the Relative deprivation frustration

model. Thus the legitimacy of the political regime in

which violence occurs coercive potential

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institutionalization and social structures which may

condition the perception of deprivation.

However in a related manner James Davies attributed

violent outbreak to the frustration that result from short

term decline in achievement following a long term

increase that generate expectation about continuing

increase. Basically a person thwarted in the attempt to

reach a goal is made angry and likely to protest against

the imputed sources of frustration.

Dowse and Hughes observes in social life men comes to

value many things status power security equality

freedom wealth etc when they cannot achieve those

values means loosing another angry dissatisfaction and

in the cases aggression occur Mayer (1976) argued in

support that the normal tendency towards violence

aggression or dispute is increasingly frustration desire.

To him when a goal presumably attractive two or more

individuals is made available in such a way that it can be

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obtained looser. Those frustrate actors in political system

can become sponsors of things kidnapers or even cause

political economic or even labour unrest in the country.

Davies (1973) postulates that aggressive action required

four (4) main steps namely: activation of demand

frustration of demand mental process of deciding how to

overcome.

Thus it is important to note that various individuals or

groups involved in political religious or even labour

unrest such as the Nigeria labour congress (NLC) trade

union congress (TUC) academic staff union of

universities (ASUU) etc engage in peaceful protest and

subsequent strike because they perceive a sense of

injustice on the part of the Government from its policies.

This is often due to the fact their needs are not properly

met and as a result of this they stoop to strike and

protest which could induce violence from some

individuals and the Government of the day sees it as a

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rebellious act hence the lost of popular consensus and

legitimacy thereby causing loss of life and property and

starvation in the country.

Accordingly Kerlinger (1977) a theory is a set of

interrelated constructs propositions and concepts that

presents a systematic view of phenomenon by specifying

relations among variables with the purpose of explaining

and predicting the phenomena. Thus having said these

among all the theory and paradigms drafted by various

school of thoughts over the years the focus therefore is

on the labour unrest and underdevelopment its impact

and effects on the countries economy.

1.7 Hypotheses

In accordance with the research questions and founded

on empirical verification deduced from the research study

hypotheses thus:

i. Public policies are responsible for labour unrest

in Nigeria.

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ii. Underdevelopment appears to be a

correspondence of labour unrest in Nigeria.

iii. Dialogue and collective bargaining seem to be a

veritiable alternative to labour unrest in Nigeria

1.8 Methods of Data Collection and Analysis

The method of data collection used in this research study

is the secondary source which is also known as

documentation due to the spontaneous nature of the

issue under investigation. We gathered information from

library textbooks articles magazine journals internet

services and printout etc which are relevant to the study.

The framework of content analysis is what we adopted

due to the fact that it will aid us in giving better

appreciable acknowledgment to the study and make us

knowledgeably acquainted to the subject under analysis.

1.9 Scope and Limitations of the Study

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The scope of this research work is quite wide and broad

that it encompasses the investigation of “labour unrest

and underdevelopment in Nigeria” An appraisal from

2000 – date. This is because of the spontaneous nature.

The scope is hinged on what have been noted from time

immemorial to present in the main sub-heading of this

research work. Furthermore notable reference though is

on the already listed statement of problem and

hypothesis which would be used in the continuation of

the research work up till the point of arriving at the

conclusion and preferred recommendations of this

research work.

As regards to the limitation of this study we would point

out that there were indeed limited documented materials

on the issue and the factors of it being timely in

conjunction with financial impediments or constraints

time and numerous academic work in campus. However

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it was obvious that the prevailing unrest was at its peak

at the time of this research.

1.10 Definition of Terms

This term that have been carefully selected for definition

in this research work are those that are related to the

course of study and those terms which also have

ambiguous meaning here an attempt is made to give

clarity on their usage in this research work.

Underdevelopment: Liberal and Marxist scholars contend

underdevelopment in terms of retardation primitivity

and backwardness or simply the lack of development for

which the later view it as a man made process while the

former connotes it as an internal variables and not

external factors which is occasioned by national and

internal milieu.

Labour Unrest: This is a term used by employers or those

generally in the business community to describe

organizing and strike action undertaken especially when

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Government tends to implement policies not favorable to

their members.

Labour Union: This are group of people who come together in

line with their profession or career with the sole aim of

protecting their interest through influencing Government

policies through strike actions and protest.

Development: According to the liberal view implies change

which “often follows a well ordered sequence and exhibits

common characteristics across countries or what Michael

Todaro calls series of successive stages of transformation.

Development according to the Marxist perspective is a

dimensional process as Walter Rodney encapsulated that

development. In human society is a many sided process.

Strikes: This is a refusal to work organized by a body of

employees as a form of protest typically in an attempt to

gain a concession or concessions. Thus it’s a work

stoppage undertaken in support of a bargaining position

or in protest of some aspect of a previous agreement or

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proposal agreement between labour unions and the

management or the Government.

Government: This is an institution rules and administration

of state authority. Thus it’s a group of people that

governs a state. It sets and administers public policy and

exercises executive political and sovereign power through

customs institution and laws within a state.

A Government can be classified into many types: democracy

republic monarchy aristocracy dictatorship are just to

mention but a few.

Protest: This is a statement or action expressing disapproval

or objection to something or to affirm in a public or

formal manner to declare solemnly to a vow.

Deregulation: This is the removal of government control

from an industry or sector to allow for free and efficient

market place. Thus it’s the reduction or elimination of

government power in a particular industry usually

enacted to create more competition within the industry.

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