Labour Unions’ Struggle with Neo-liberal Policies in Nigeria
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Date
2014-07
Authors
Akinwale, A.A
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bangladesh Sociological Society, University of Dhaka
Abstract
Antagonism has become a feature of labour unions’ relations with the Nigerian government. The
implementation of neo-liberal policies worsens the situation, thereby hindering industrial peace in Nigeria.
As labour unions and government disagree over the implementation of neo-liberal policies, the relationship
between the two parties has become hostile with adverse implications for socio-economic development in
Nigeria. This article examines labour unions’ struggle with neo-liberal policies in Nigeria via an exploratory
research design, involving in-depth interviews and structured questionnaire used to collect data individually
from 440 respondents, including members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the
National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The findings showed that the majority of
the respondents (91.5%) blamed the Nigerian government for implementation of neo-liberal policies. Many
respondents (96%) observed some negative impacts of privatization and commercialization, including
inflation, job insecurity, unemployment, and poor living standards. Most respondents (99.2%) agreed that
their living standard had fallen persistently. Many respondents (93%) believed that labour unions would
continue to use strikes to express opposition to undesirable policies of the Nigerian government. The
majority of the respondents (86.9%) denied the effectiveness of government ban on strikes. Besides the
use of strikes, many respondents (73.5%) called for demonstration, mass protests, and
collaboration with civil society organisations. The findings reflected labour unions’ dissatisfaction with implementation of neo-liberal policies in Nigeria. There is urgent need for a substantial improvement in government’s relations with labour unions to promote industrial peace and development in Nigeria.
Description
Keywords
Labour unions , Neo-liberalism , Academic Staff Union of Universities , Industrial action
Citation
Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology, 11(2), 89-104.