An Assessment of Globalisation and the Future of Trade Unionism in Nigeria

Abstract

Globalization today appears to be the current important phenomenon shaping the environment for development. It arose from the debris of previous theories whose failure gave lead to the search for new developmental paradigms. It has become the most pervasive and important phenomenon in turning around the world economy. It generally espouses a number of inter-related features of the world economy such as rapid advances in communication and transportation technologies, expanding spatial scope for private organizations and financial institution business activities, among several other opportunities. It is part of the continuous efforts towards restructuring of state and economy in ways that the expanded markets and the spread of the use of technology and ideas will lead to increased productivity and a higher quality of life for the people. Evidences abound that globalization is creating a high level of homogeneity in the needs and desires of the world. With globalization, economies and communities become integrated into a centralized arrangement of ideas especially for developed countries’ markets and technology. However, the phenomenon also bears negative impact on various economies especially the developing ones whose economies rather than growing continue to think. One area of negative consequence of globalization is in the activities of trade unions. This paper therefore looks at the phenomenon and the extent to which its impact on trade unionism in Nigeria and proffers mitigating efforts.

Keywords: Globalisation, Economy, Development, Trade Unionism, Nigeria.