LABOUR LAW REFORMS AND INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) AND TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (TUC)

The Study Investigated Labour Law Reforms and Industrial Dispute Resolution in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC). trade unions have become important agents of socio-economic transformation and class struggle always representing the working-class interests against capitalist exploitations. In the contemporary times however, especially in the developing countries, trade unionism has become an indispensable tool in ensuring and guaranteeing industrial harmony between the employer and employee. It is a well-known fact that trade unions all over the world emerged to improve the living and working conditions of workers. Few theories relating to this research were employed; Unitary Theory, Pluralistic Perspective, Marxist Perspective, The Classical Model, Conflict Theory. Quantitative research design, specifically a correlational design was used. Primary data were collected from 154 selected staff and union members, comprising the management, middle and lower cadre in the selected organisations., through questionnaire administration. The data were analyzed by using Spearman correlation and step-wise regression tools in Statistical Product and Service Solutions (version 20). The findings suggest that there is significant relationship between overall effectiveness of industrial dispute resolution mechanisms and government policies on labour relations. This study recommends that Unions should be equipped with more resources, legal backing, and training to enhance their negotiation capabilities and ensure they contribute positively to industrial harmony.