EXAMINING THE ROLE OF ORGANIZED LABOUR IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS.

Abstract

The thrust of this paper is examining the role of organized labour in Nigeria:
Challenges and Solutions. The paper argues the changing roles of organized labour from that
of a union regarded as working in solidarity to achieve industrial peace, the dignity of labour,
social justice for workers and fighting for poor masses. The paper avers that organized labour
before now, through the instrumentality of strikes and collective bargaining, influenced the
government’s anti-people, pro-rich policies and practices that were perceived as obnoxious.
The intentional fragmentation of organized labour or trade unionism by the government and
slow reactionary measures towards workers' welfare, among other key issues, have necessitated
this research work. The paper opined that organized labour has abandoned championing the
course of the millions of Nigerian workers and poor rather than as an extension of the political
party in power in the last few years. The main objective of this paper is to critically examine
the role of organized labour in Nigeria and to what extent they have solved the problem of
Nigerian worker's welfare in the face of the harsh economic situations and poor Nigeria in
general. Also, determine the challenges faced by organized labour in Nigeria and proffer
solutions. This paper adopted a qualitative research method. It is a purely descriptive study
relying heavily on theoretical literature. The paper concluded that organized labour should be
seen as a more viable and visible partner in the struggle to better the welfare of workers and
poor citizens in Nigeria.