What is a trade union?
It is an organization of workers with its principal purpose being to promote and protect their economic and social interests
Under what act are trade unions registered?
Act 175
Why do workers join unions?
To acquire and improve:
1. bargaining power
2. job security
3. poor working conditions & environment
4. lack of advancement
What is an employer’s association?
Any Organisation of Employers established by Employers with the following principal purposes:
1. the representation and promotion of Employers’ interests and
2. the regulation of relations between Employers and Workers
What Act and section are employers’ associations registered under?
section 84 of Act 175
What are the functions of employers’ associations?
- Represent Collective Interests
- They protect their collective interests as Employers. Eg. They represent their members in dealing with Trade Unions.
- Specialist Advisory Service
- Political & Economic Pressure Group
- They represent their members’ views and ideologies to the government agencies and the public
What are the requirements for the formation of a trade union?
Minimum of 2 persons
They must be working for the same Employer
What are the requirements for the formation of an employers’ association?
Minimum of 2 Employers
They must belong to the same Industry or be in the same Trade
They must have not less than 15 Employees
What are some rights of trade unions and employers’ associations?
- To draw up its Constitution & Rules
- To elect its officers and representatives
- To organise its Administration and Activities
- To Formulate its own Programmes;
- To Take part in the Formulation, and become a member of any federation of Trade Unions, and
- Participate in its lawful activities; and
- Affiliate to and Participate in the activities of, or join an international workers’ or Employers’ organisation.
What are the contents of the rules and regulations of the organizations?
- Name of the TU or EA
- Address of the Registered Office (for correspondence & service of Notices).
- Principal Objects of the TU or EA
- Qualification of Membership
- Grounds for Suspension or Dismissal of Membership & Officers
- Procedure for Suspension or Dismissal of Membership & Officers
- Membership Fees & other subscriptions payable
- Manner of Dissolving TU or EA
- Manner of Disposing of Assets of TU or EA upon dissolution
- Manner of Altering, Amending or Revoking its Constitution or Rules
- The Powers, Functions & Duties of Officers
How do you register a trade union or employers association?
The Chief Labour Officer may Register if he is satisfied that:
- The application was submitted with the relevant Supporting Documents & Information.
- The applicant is a TU or EA duly established under any enactment for the time being in force as a body corporate.
- The internal organisation of the TU or EA conforms to democratic principles.
- The name of the TU or EA does not closely resemble that of another registered TU or EA, so as to mislead or confuse the public.
- The Rules of the TU or EA are in conformity with S. 85 of Act 651.
- The Constitution or Rules of the TU or EA do not discriminate against any person on grounds of race, origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed, gender or disability.
What are the duties of a chief labour officer?
- Keep and maintain a register of trade unions,
- Enter their prescribed particulars
- Enter any alterations or changes affecting them.
What are the effects of registration on trade unions and employer associations?
- acquire legal personalities
- enjoy all the rights and powers conferred under the Law
