THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE UNIONISM ON THE DETERMINATION OF WORKERS WELFARE IN KOGI STATE

THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE UNIONISM ON THE DETERMINATION OF WORKERS WELFARE IN KOGI STATE

(A CASE STUDY OF LOKOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL)

ABSTRACT

This research work is poised to look into the Impact of Effective Unionism on the Determination of workers welfare in Kogi State with emphasis on Lokoja Local Government Area. The research work is divided into five chapters with each chapter linking each other. The objectives of the research work among others include to find out whether the role played by unionism has any impact on the life of the workers and to ascertain if Lokoja local government has made any positive or negative contributions to the development or improvement of workers in the council. Two methods of data collection were used i.e. the primary and secondary sources of data and the data was analyzed using simple percentage method for easy understanding. The findings revealed that financial problems facing the labour union in the implementation of their policies have a negative effect on the development of workers, most especially on the training of their members. At the end of the research work, it was recommended that the council management should encourage the use of different varieties of incentives for job motivation among workers in the councils and various organizations at large.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Unionism is said to be solidarity resulting from joint workers strength. It creates the motivation of workers’ group to bargain successfully on terms of employment and condition of work. As individual, a worker does not have adequate bargaining power and employers can choose to do what they like with him or her perhaps, the only exception to this situation is the case of exceptional talents, artists, chief executive.

While labour union (unionism) exists in an organization, many works like to join them in order to benefit from group effort from paid employment which they as individuals cannot easily negotiate with the management of their organization. Through the umbrella of unionism, employees can have their voices heard in the companies, and they can be in a better position to actualize their dreams.

The main problem to tackle in this essay is how to solve or reduce the problems associated with personnel effectiveness, how can organization particularly public organizations secure adequate utilization of their human resources for greater efficiency and productivity throughout effective and efficient employees training development programme.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The statement of problems to this research is as stated below:

The politicization pose a serious defect of the trade union movement in Lokoja is that the leadership has been provided by outsiders especially professional politicians. Leaders being affiliated to one or the other party, the unions were more engrossed in toeing the lines of their political leaders than protecting worker’s interest.

Lack of enlightened labour force: The lack of enlightened labour force capable of maning and conducting the movement efficiently, purposefully and effectively has been a major problem in the development of trade unions in the country, lack of education, division by race religion, language and caste, migratory nature, lack of self consciences, and non permanent class of workers have been attributed as the causes for the lack of enlightened labour force in Lokoja.

Miscellaneous problems: the majority of the register unions are independent union as only 16,000 units out of 50,000 registered unions are affiliated to the central trade unions (CTUs)

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The purpose of carrying out this study is to examine the role of unionism in improving the welfare of workers in Lokoja local government council.

To find out whether the role played by unionism has any impact in the life of the workers

To ascertain if Lokoja local government has made any positive or negative contributions to the development or improvement of workers in the council.

Lastly, they have to disclose the problems confronting the union on the course of implementing policies for improving the welfare of workers.

1.4  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of great importance to unionism or trade unions in Lokoja local government council and how to harness their method in a more efficient manner in improving the welfare of the council.

1.5  RESEARCH QUESTION

In the course of carrying of this research work, the following questions were asked:

1. Doe labour unions contribute to reduce the problem faced by the union in implementing it policies?
2. Has unionism in Lokoja local government council in any form contributed to improved the welfare of workers?
3. Can we trace the adequate training given to union members in Lokoja local government council?
4. Does unionism law have any impact in the lfie of their members?
5. Does trade union prepare the individual workers for proper acclimatization in the organization apart from the psychological and physical welfare?
6. Is trade union essential ingredient for the mobilization of workers in the council?

1.6  SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In the process of carrying out this project work, several problems were encountered by the researcher among the problems are insufficiency of time and funds which handicapped the researcher from widening the scope of the study such as linking up with trade unions in other organizations for more comprehensive analysis.

This study is limited to Lokoja local government council. Another problem is inadequacy of information given by the respondents and the failure of others to return the questionnaire given to them.

1.7  DEFINITION OF TERMS

TRADE UNION: This term refers to any combination of workers or employers, Whether temporary or permanent, for the purpose of regulating the terms and conditions of services and provision of benefits allowance for its members.

WELFARE OF WORKERS: This is the process of increasing the knowledge, skills and capacities of all the people in people in any given organization or society and also make sure that their daily needs are made available such as food, housing and clothing for effective services.

HUMAN RESOURCES: This is the energies, skills talent and knowledge which are potentially applied to the production of good and services.

LABOUR FORCE: The labour force comprises of all those who work for gain whether as employees, employer or self- employed and it includes the unemployed who are seeking for job.

PERSONNEL: Personnel generally means a body of person’s employed in an organization or workplace. The term is generic and does not typically distinguish between classifications of those employed, such as full or part time, temporary or permanent etc.

EMPLOYEE: Employee is anyone who has agreed to be employed under a contract of service to work for some form of payment.

MANPOWER: This term refers to total supply of personnel available or engaged for a specific task or total labour force of a nation, including both men and women.

IMPACT: It refers to the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact collision.