LABOUR MOVEMENT AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Labour movements represent the conscience of the people in a neo-liberal economic system. The task of the labour movement is not limited to negotiating for, and protecting the interests of the workers in an employee-employer setting; it also includes championing the welfare of the masses against exploitation by the ruling class. This study therefore interrogates the impacts of labour movement on national development in Nigeria with a view to establishing its relevance or otherwise. The study relies on the Marxists Political Economy theory and argues that the various socio-economic policies of governments over the years were aimed at furthering the interests of the bourgeoisie at the expense of the masses. The study used qualitative data obtained through documentary sources and deployed analytical approach for the interpretation. The study found that the Nigerian labour movements have contributed to the attainment of independence, enthronement of democracy, and several other socio-economic policies aimed at improving welfare of the people. However, in the last 2 decades, the intensity of labour movements influence on government has diminished significantly. Factors responsible for this turn of events are both exogenous and endogenous to the labour movements in the country. It is recommended that labour unions in the country embark on capacity building of their officials; undertake awareness creation for their members; and cultivate the culture of internal democracy as a basis for leadership recruitment process.