CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR SETTLEMENT OF LABOUR DISPUTES IN NIGERIA

In Nigeria and in virtually all countries of the world, dispute in the labour sector is almost inevitable. Dispute occurs when two or more individuals co-exist and engage in interactions. For a dispute to arise, there must be at least two parties involved. Oftentimes, it arises between employers of labour and their employees. Sometimes, it ensues between or among employees and in some cases, it occurs between employers of labour. In each case, certain legal frameworks and dynamic mechanisms are deployed for its amicable resolution which are mostly the product of collective agreement and may be otherwise spelt out by statute. This study therefore examines critically the various labour dispute settlement mechanisms which includes Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation while also interrogating laws and regulations enacted over time for the settlement of labour disputes in Nigeria. More so, this project examines a number of regulatory bodies and institutions established for the purpose of settlement of labour disputes. Some of these bodies may not be primarily established for settlement of labour disputes but they are instrumental for this purpose. It further considers the factors constituting challenge to the settlement of labour disputes in Nigeria. Equally, it exposes the barriers militating against the effective resolution of labour disputes which set a barricade in respect of access to justice. This essay offers a legal exposition on the impacts and effects of labour disputes on the Nigeria’s socio-economic development. It concludes by summarily drawing in-depth findings from the study and provides recommen