Contract labor is one of several terms, which are widely used to describe work arrangements, which do not fall within the traditional definition of employment. Contracting out services and getting employees through co...Contract labor is one of several terms, which are widely used to describe work arrangements, which do not fall within the traditional definition of employment. Contracting out services and getting employees through contractors have become widespread practice by many employers because it helps them to cut cost since these contractors could often supply these workers more cheaply and efficiently. Labor rights and standards are sometimes seen as sacrificial lambs on the altar of competitive edge by companies due to the perception that they constitute ＂costs＂ which if eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum, will impact positively on the ability of companies to compete favorably in the global market and consequent improvement of their balance sheets, to the joy of shareholders. Contract work is increasingly becoming the norm in Nigeria＇s oil and gas industry as companies undergo restructuring, concentration on core activities and modifications in work organization and technology. These factors certainly affect traditional employment relations and the exercise of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights inherent in them. Contract workers now make up about 60% of the workforce in the industry and they are denied the right to organize into Unions. The denial of this right has resulted in exploitation of these workers. This paper seeks to examine the adequacy of labor law governing trade unionism in Nigeria in ensuring the right of contract workers to freedom of association, as well as its conformity to international labor standards. It is argued that Nigerian labor laws need to be enforced to ensure that this category of workers benefits from this right. In addition a proposal is made for a law reform which will define contract labor and provide a legal framework for the regulation and protection of contract workers in Nigeria in order to guarantee their right to unionize and enable them to improve their rights at work.展开更多
文摘Contract labor is one of several terms, which are widely used to describe work arrangements, which do not fall within the traditional definition of employment. Contracting out services and getting employees through contractors have become widespread practice by many employers because it helps them to cut cost since these contractors could often supply these workers more cheaply and efficiently. Labor rights and standards are sometimes seen as sacrificial lambs on the altar of competitive edge by companies due to the perception that they constitute ＂costs＂ which if eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum, will impact positively on the ability of companies to compete favorably in the global market and consequent improvement of their balance sheets, to the joy of shareholders. Contract work is increasingly becoming the norm in Nigeria＇s oil and gas industry as companies undergo restructuring, concentration on core activities and modifications in work organization and technology. These factors certainly affect traditional employment relations and the exercise of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights inherent in them. Contract workers now make up about 60% of the workforce in the industry and they are denied the right to organize into Unions. The denial of this right has resulted in exploitation of these workers. This paper seeks to examine the adequacy of labor law governing trade unionism in Nigeria in ensuring the right of contract workers to freedom of association, as well as its conformity to international labor standards. It is argued that Nigerian labor laws need to be enforced to ensure that this category of workers benefits from this right. In addition a proposal is made for a law reform which will define contract labor and provide a legal framework for the regulation and protection of contract workers in Nigeria in order to guarantee their right to unionize and enable them to improve their rights at work.
