FOSTERING REFORMS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The crux of this study hinges on fostering reforms in the enforcement of collective agreements in Nigeria. They range from a variety of issues, from the centrality of the Minister of Labour in the bargaining and agreement process to the relics of common law providing that collective agreements are not enforceable unless stringent conditions are met, down to the non-alignment of our industrial legislation and judicial predispositions with international best practices. Incidentally, this study also seeks to propose the reforms needed for the improvement of collective agreements in Nigeria. Among others, this study advocates for an Independent National Industrial Relations Commission, clarity and more legislative injections into our industrial jurisprudence, aligning us with the international best practices, etc. Consistent with the above, the method of research employed for this study is primarily doctrinal. However, the study also adopted a blend of descriptive, analytical and applied research methodologies, which would be conducted in the faculty of law library, Bingham University, Nasarawa state. By this process, the use of judicial authorities, statute, books and journals has been heavily employed to carry out this study. For the purpose of the research, these materials are classified into primary and secondary sources. Primary Sources include the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Statutes, Case laws and delegated legislations. Secondary sources include journals, dictionaries, books, lecture notes, and project/thesis/dissertations. This study finds that the enforcement would the recommended reforms for collective agreements in Nigeria would lead to the improvement of labour relations and economic development incidentally.