One of the primary roles of trade unions is to safeguard the welfare of their members, with safety and health being integral components of this welfare. The adage “health is wealth” highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy workforce, as healthy workers are more productive and valuable assets to organizations. Conversely, an unhealthy worker poses a liability, leading to decreased productivity and marginal profits for the organization due to reduced input in the production process.
Trade unions have historically prioritized the improvement of working conditions, striving to reduce work-related accidents, enhance work methods, and emphasize the human factor in industries. However, the enthusiasm of trade unions for promoting better working conditions has waned in recent times, influenced by factors such as declining membership and the impact of globalization. Consequently, work-related accidents and diseases remain significant challenges in both developed and developing countries, including Nigeria.
According to estimates from the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 250 million workers experience accidents annually, resulting in 300,000 fatalities. Fatal injuries caused by work-related accidents alone amount to at least 335,000. When considering both accidents and diseases, the global estimate of work-related deaths reaches 1.1 million per year, though this figure is likely underestimated due to inadequate statistical data from some member states. The economic losses resulting from work-related accidents and diseases are substantial, and the toll on families and communities is immeasurable.
In Nigeria, issues of greed and corruption contribute to the deterioration of working and living conditions for millions of workers and their families. The government’s passive stance towards employers who flout health and safety regulations, even when their negligence results in worker fatalities, is a major concern. Many Nigerian workers have suffered permanent injuries without receiving adequate compensation, often at the hands of Asian employers. Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, tasked with regulation, is hampered by inefficiency, inadequate facilities, a poorly trained workforce, and pervasive corruption within the Nigerian system.
Many employers disregard the importance of managing health and safety, viewing it as a costly burden that detracts from profits. For the average capitalist, prioritizing profit often comes before the well-being of workers. Although Nigeria has legislation and guidelines governing health and safety, employers frequently fail to comply with basic regulations intended to protect workers. Deregulation, subcontracting, and informal contractual conditions exacerbate this situation, leaving workers with limited options – they must either accept hazardous jobs or risk losing employment altogether.
The Nigerian Scenario and Issue of Occupational Health
In recent times, Nigerian workers across various sectors of the economy have been exposed to accidents, ranging from minor to fatal, resulting in loss of life or permanent incapacitation for some. Safety and health in the workplace, once a priority in employers’ programs and plans, are now often disregarded. Additionally, there are numerous unregistered companies using incorporation as a cover, many of which have even worse cases involving the health and safety of their workers.
Nigeria observes the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28 annually, in line with an international campaign endorsed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and social partners to promote safe, healthy, and decent work.
Statistics on safety and health development in Nigeria reveal alarming figures, with an estimated 2.3 million occupational fatalities occurring globally each year. Daily, approximately 200 industrial accidents occur in Nigerian workplaces, resulting in a high rate of fatalities. In sectors like power and maritime, numerous fatal industrial accidents have occurred, with thousands of workers at risk of occupational hazards, including children involved in economic activities.
The manufacturing sector experiences a particularly concerning frequency of fatal industrial accidents. In many cases, management collaborates with union officials to conceal these incidents and negotiate compensation secretly. However, the compensation offered is often inadequate, providing only minimal support to the families of victims who have suffered death or permanent disabilities.
Many victims of workplace accidents opt to endure their suffering quietly due to the warnings issued by their employers regarding severe consequences if they attempt to pursue any grievances with the organization. These companies often operate in remote areas with untraceable addresses and are widespread across the country. In Nigeria, it’s not just factory workers who are prone to accidents; even those in white-collar positions are increasingly exposed to job hazards. Many may be unaware of these hazards due to their gradual development over time. This includes workers in sectors such as finance, oil and gas, and civil service.
A well-managed safety culture, grounded in established principles of workplace safety, encourages active participation from employees in training. This involvement enables them to identify and alert both their peers and management to potential hazards. They can then develop effective control measures and feel a sense of responsibility for their own safety and that of others. Viewing safety as a shared responsibility reflects genuine concern for each employee and lays the groundwork for an effective safety culture.
Key Elements for Effective Trade Union Influence in Health and Safety Issues
1. Strong Membership
Increasing union membership and organizing members around health and safety issues are essential for building strong unions. Members are naturally concerned about their own health and that of their colleagues. While some workers may accept certain risks as part of their job, they may be unaware of hidden hazards or simply have no alternative employment options, leading them to overlook potential dangers of injuries or long-term health damage.
Trade unions should capitalize on members’ interest in health and safety and persuade them of the importance of solidarity in improving working conditions. With an informed, engaged membership, unions can effectively advocate for the protection of workers’ health and safety. It is crucial for unions to involve their members from the outset in identifying workplace hazards. This can be accomplished through various means such as surveys, discussions with members, noting their complaints, involving them in inspections, discussing hidden hazards, and seeking their input.
2. Collective Bargaining Agreements on Health and Safety
Legal standards regarding occupational health and safety are often inadequate. Even when legislation exists on paper, ensuring its practical application can be challenging. Trade unions can campaign for improved health and safety laws. Currently, in Nigeria, occupational health and safety receive limited attention in collective bargaining agreements.
Expanding and detailing collective bargaining agreements can significantly enhance workplace safety. An agreement on occupational health and safety could include provisions for forming safety committees, defining the rights and functions of health and safety representatives, ensuring workers’ rights to information and training, allowing workers to refuse dangerous work, empowering safety representatives to halt activities in case of imminent danger, and providing time off for training and other union duties. Additionally, such agreements could cover safety policies, safe work procedures, procedures for introducing new substances and equipment, occupational health services, and special procedures for resolving safety issues.
3. Safety Representatives in Trade Unions
Well-trained safety representatives from trade unions play an important role in preventing injuries and illnesses at the workplace. According to a recent survey conducted by the British Trades Union Congress, workplaces with these representatives experience half the accident rate compared to those without. These representatives possess a deep understanding of workplace risks and collaborate closely with both workers and management to create a safe working environment by identifying, mitigating, or eliminating hazards before they escalate into problems.
The selection of a health and safety representative should ideally be handled by the trade union representing the employees at the workplace, or through consultation with non-unionized employees. In cases where there is no trade union, employees themselves choose the health and safety representatives. However, employers’ reluctance to appoint such representatives poses a challenge to achieving this objective in organizations. In instances where employers fail to comply with regulations by not appointing health and safety representatives, health and safety officers initially attempt to understand the reasons behind this non-compliance. If lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of legislation is identified as the cause, counseling may be provided, emphasizing the benefits, both short and long-term, that such appointments can bring to the employer, including improved employee morale and potential economic benefits.
4. Trade Union Education on Occupational Safety and Health
Given the prevalence of industrial accidents among workers, health and safety education has become increasingly vital. Trade unions need to prioritize health education and information dissemination, particularly concerning the importance of wearing personal protective equipment to reduce exposure to hazards.
In Nigeria, many factory workers are often not adequately trained or educated about the health hazards associated with their jobs and how to manage the risks. This negligence frequently results in workers falling victim to preventable occupational health hazards. Regular health education programs could empower workers to manage risks at the workplace by taking preventive measures against hazards. Additionally, providing traditional first aid training to workers could contribute significantly to reducing workplace injuries and illnesses.
