Labour and Trade Unions – Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Describe the concept of labour and trade unions
2. Give examples of labour and trade unions in Nigeria

Concept of labour

Labour: Work done by people, especially physical or mental work done for wages.

Types of Labour:

• Skilled labour (carpenters, tailors, mechanics)
• Unskilled labour (cleaners, laborers)
• Professional labour (doctors, teachers, lawyers)

Trade union

Definition: An organized group of workers who come together to protect their rights, improve working conditions, and negotiate better wages.

Purpose:

• Protect workers’ rights
• Negotiate better pay
• Improve working conditions
• Provide legal support
• Fight exploitation

HOW TRADE UNIONS WORK

Collective Bargaining:

• Union represents all workers
• Negotiates with employers
• Stronger together than individually

Strike:

• Workers refuse to work
• Protest poor conditions or pay
• Force employers to negotiate
• Last resort action

IMPORTANCE OF TRADE UNIONS

1. Better Wages: 
   1. Negotiate salary increases
   2. Fight for minimum wage
   3. Fair compensation
2. Safe Working Conditions: 
   1. Demand safety equipment
   2. Proper work environment
   3. Protect workers’ health
3. Job Security: 
   1. Protect against unfair dismissal
   2. Fight for workers’ rights
   3. Legal representation
4. Benefits: 
   1. Medical insurance
   2. Pension
   3. Leave allowances
   4. Training opportunities
5. Voice for Workers: 
   1. Represent workers’ concerns
   2. Communicate with management
   3. Democratic workplace

EXAMPLES OF LABOUR AND TRADE UNIONS IN NIGERIA

1. NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC)

• Umbrella body for all trade unions
• Most powerful labor organization
• Fights for workers nationwide
• Negotiates minimum wage

2. TRADE UNION CONGRESS (TUC)

• Another major labor center
• Represents senior staff
• Works with NLC

3. ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU)

• University lecturers
• Fights for education funding
• Improves university conditions
• Often goes on strike

4. NIGERIA UNION OF TEACHERS (NUT)

• Primary and secondary teachers
• Largest teachers’ union
• Advocates for teachers’ welfare

5. NATIONAL UNION OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS WORKERS (NUPENG)

• Oil and gas workers
• Tanker drivers
• Powerful in petroleum sector

6. PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION (PENGASSAN)

• Senior staff in oil sector
• Works with NUPENG

7. MEDICAL AND HEALTH WORKERS UNION (MHWU)

• Doctors, nurses, health workers
• Fights for healthcare improvement

8. NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ)

• Journalists and media workers
• Protects press freedom

9. NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS (NURTW)

• Drivers and transport workers
• Commercial drivers’ union

10. NIGERIA UNION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (NULGE)

• Local government workers

CHALLENGES FACING TRADE UNIONS

1. Government interference
2. Employer resistance
3. Internal conflicts
4. Poor funding
5. Strikes disrupt economy
6. Corruption in leadership
7. Weak labor laws

EVALUATION

1. What is a trade union?
2. Why are trade unions important?
3. Name three trade unions in Nigeria
4. What is collective bargaining?
5. What is a strike?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. A trade union is ________ 

1. a) A shop
2. b) Workers organized to protect rights
3. c) A school
4. d) A market

1. NLC stands for ________ 

1. a) Nigeria Local Congress
2. b) Nigeria Labour Congress
3. c) National Labour Committee
4. d) None

1. ASUU represents ________ 

1. a) Doctors
2. b) University lecturers
3. c) Drivers
4. d) Farmers

1. Workers go on strike to ________ 

1. a) Rest
2. b) Protest and demand better conditions
3. c) Celebrate
4. d) Travel

1. Trade unions help workers get ________ 

1. a) Nothing
2. b) Better wages and conditions
3. c) Less pay
4. d) More work

ANSWERS: 1.b 2.b 3.b 4.b 5.b

HOMEWORK

1. Define labour and trade union
2. Explain the importance of trade unions
3. List and explain five trade unions in Nigeria
4. What is collective bargaining?
5. How do trade unions protect workers?