LASU Journal of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management
(LJERHRM)
ISSN: 2705-3482
Volume 1, No. 1, December 2018
Pages 44-52
DOI: 10.36108/ljerhrm/8102.01.0160
THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISMS IN NIGERIA
DUMEBI, Anthony Ideh (PhD)1; SHONUGA, Adedoyinsola Olajumoke 2
Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria1,2
E-mails: 1tonydum68@yahoo.com; 2candysho2001@yahoo.com.
Abstract
Disputes and dispute resolutions are part and parcel of any functional industrial relations system. Therefore, the need to resolve them equitably, efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the actors is of paramount importance. The objective of this study is to examine the State intervention in dispute settlement and its contributions in peaceful resolution of disputes in Nigeria. The paper adopted the qualitative research approach. Relevant data were collected from the Lagos offices of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Industrial Arbitration Panel and the National Industrial Court. The study found that the various pieces of legislation enacted by the State have positively impacted on the settlement of Industrial Disputes in Nigeria. However, it was observed that despite the positive contributions, there are still some areas for improvement. The study therefore made the following recommendations; that the powers of the Minister of Labour and Employment should be restricted to create an enabling industrial relations environment for the actors and that the parties to disputes should be allowed the choice of which method of disputes settlement to use among other recommendations.
Keywords: Arbitration, Dispute, Nigeria, Settlement Mechanism, State.