An Overview of Industrial Conflict and its Challenges to National Development

Abstract

One of the major characteristics of modern societies is a complex organization which serves as a whole that engulf many individuals in a pursuit of large administrative task. To compliment these, the workers are governed by service condition with rules and regulations established by their employers. The result of power imbalance leads to employer and employee disagreement or conflict. This has far reaching implications to the development of the Nation. Hence, labour plays a crucial role in the quest for the Country‟s development despite its current economic situation. However, the paper examines Industrial Conflict in Nigeria, its root, causes and effects to National development. Frustration Aggression theory was used as theoretical framework. As a descriptive type of study, the study utilizes Secondary sources such as Newspapers, Journals, and Textbooks as sources for data collection. The study discovers that a grievance as a result of low wages, poor working condition and lack of promotion leads to conflict. That strike of any nature impedes the development of the organization as well as the Nation. From the study, the Paper concludes that despite the functions of Industrial Conflict (Strike) it is bad for the society. It however recommends that owners of Industries and Employees should produce a communiqué that will better reduce conflicts. Employers of labour should also ensure that their employees are adequately motivated so as to increase productivity and job satisfaction. It is also recommended that government should ensure that Industrial Relations Act is adhered to properly so as to reduce conflict reoccurrence.
Keywords: Conflict, Industrial Conflict, Development, National Development