Labour unions and workers’ rights: A case study of the National Union of Electricity Employees (Lagos chapter)

The protection of workers' rights remains a global and serious concern. Despite the presence of labour unions, workers continue to face numerous challenges. In line with this, the paper intends to provide answers to the following questions: What are the major challenges that workers in the electricity sector face in terms of their rights and working conditions? To what extent does the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) contribute to negotiating fair wages and improved working conditions for electricity sector workers? Finally, how does the NUEE address issues relating to contract employment and job security for its members in the electricity sector? The following alternative hypotheses are tested: (1) a significant impact of the challenges faced by workers on their rights, (2) a significant relationship between wages and improved welfare conditions on workers’ rights and (3) a significant impact of job contracts and security on workers’ rights among members of NUEE. This will be achieved by employing descriptive analysis and regression analysis to analyse data gathered through the use of the questionnaire from 200 members of the National Electricity Employees Union (Lagos chapter). The results confirmed that major challenges faced by workers in the electricity sector have a negative and significant effect on workers' rights, although, workers’ welfare, contract and job security have a positive and significant influence on workers’ rights. Flexible management style that can positively enhance the performance of the workers must be determined collectively by the parties involved in negotiating workers’ rights and an effective and open communication system which must be put in place are part of the recommendations made.