Collective bargaining as a tool for settlement of trade disputes in Nigeria: Issues and challenges

Abstract

Just like every other human relationships, labour relationship is not devoid of disputes. However, there exists different means of resolving such disputes without jeopardising the interest of either the employers or the employees. One of such means is called collective bargaining. This article, using the doctrinal method of research examined collective bargaining as a means of labour dispute resolution in Nigeria with primary focus on the factors which constitute stumbling blocks to the effectiveness of collective bargaining in Nigeria. It was found that factors such as government attitude, the problems which bedevil trade unions as well as the constitutional lacuna on the issue of appeal of the decisions of the National Industrial Court, non-justiciability of collective agreement among others are greatly working against collective bargaining in Nigeria. It was recommended that there should be a constitutional amendment to lay the controversy surrounding appeals from the National Industrial Court to the rest. Also, collective agreements should be made enforceable upon its execution by the parties involved without any other requirement as we currently have in one of the statutes related to labour relations.