Freedom of Association and the Right to Organize Trade Union Activities in Nigeria: An International Perspective

Abstract

The right of workers and their union to organize their activities is a fundamental right. An employer has no right to create a union, let alone compel his workers to join it or manage its operations. That is the exclusive right of the workers. The ILO Constitution and Conventions on freedom of association recognize and guarantee this right. It is also protected by the UN human rights treaties. This essay explores Nigeria’s Constitutional provisions on freedom of association and the right to organize trade union activities in the context of international standards. It suggests, among other things, that employers and public agencies should respect trade union rights, just like other fundamental human rights, and that the National Industrial Court should apply stringent interpretation of the laws regulating these rights in conformity with international standards.