Public Policy and Industrial Relations

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO

 

MPA 8208: 2009/2010 Session

 

Public Policy and Industrial Relations

 

 

M. M. Yusif

Fridays: 3:00 to 5:00pm

Musa Abdullahi Auditorium

 

Course Description

This is a course on Labour and Industrial Relations, which is part of a programme – Masters in Policy and Public Administration – of the Department of Political Science during 2009/2010 Academic year. It is designed to introduce administrators to theories, practices and problems of industrial relations in Neo-Liberal Societies.

 

Most countries in the developing world have experienced economic and political liberalization involving democratization of the political system, market reforms centered on deregulation of the economy and on labour front the introduction of reform policies to match with the political and the economic reform measures.

 

Thus, these countries become neo-liberal societies. So, we may wish to ask the questions; (a) how does economic and political reforms affect the relations between organized labour and the state; (b) as these reforms are expressions of global movement we may ask how does globalization affect industrial relations; (c) what is the impact of SAP on labour regimes; etc.

 

Our point of departure in this course is the breakdown of traditional industrial relations as a result of economic adjustment and political liberalization, which impacted disastrously on both the living and working conditions of the workers and on their trade union organization. Then, the transition to new labour regime, and whether the transition is really completed.

 

Looking the trends of these changes, nationally and globally, we would examine labours options to neo-liberal reforms. Especially its capacity for international labour coordination and how it tackles the "polanyi" problem.

 

The Nigeria's labour and industrial relations will mainly be our concern.

 

Format of the Class

Responsible of the course is M. M. Yusif who will give lectures on the topics outlined on the programme. The lecture period will be divided into two parts. The first is to give a brief talk which will highlight the major issues covered in the literature on the topic. The second part will be for discussion on relevant text reviewed by students or on research reports by students.

 

Requirements and Assessment of Students

Regular attendance is a necessary requirement. But it is not allowed to come in any time you like and wish to be away any time. If you are ready to learn come to the class before lecture begins and go after the class. Secondly, on writing a paper as requirement of this course, it must be seen to be based on library research, analytical, showing relationship between theory and data. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any one found on plagiarism will be awarded zero for continuous assessment. Thirdly, participation in the discussions in class is a guarantee for enhanced learning.

 

Finally assessment of students will be based for 20% on the quality of term paper which each one will write. Then 10% for review of a relevant text, while 10% is for attendance. The 60% left is for end of semester examination.

 

Topics of the Course (In Chronological order one per week)

1. General Introduction: An overview on the course
   
2. Basic concepts and Terminologies revisited
   
3. Situating Labour within globalization debate
   
4. Union-State relations: Theoretical perspectives
   
5. Traditional Industrial Relations System: Management Strategies
   
6. Organized Labour under SAP: The breakdown of the traditional system
   
7. Reconstruction of the labour regime/industrial relations system
   
8. Deregulation of collective bargaining and settlement of industrial disputes
   
9. ILO standard and labour relations in a globalised economy
   
10. Globalisation, trade unions and transnational industrial relations
    
11. Trade Unionism as Social Movement
    
12. Theoretical Conclusion
    

 

Required Readings

For the convenience of students the following are recommended readings. Each week one or two of these would be specifically recommended, and a student should be prepared to read others on the list.

1. Jack Jones and Max Morris. A-Z of Trade Unionism and Industrial Relations.
   
2. Thomas I. Palley. A Labour perspective on globalization. IPS No.2 (2009).
   
3. Ronaldo Munck. Globalisation and Labour: the new 'Great Transformation. Zed Books. London 2002.
   
4. Bruce E. Kaufman. The End of Industrial Relations. Website
   
5. Richard Hyman. Industrial Relations: A Marxist Introduction
   
6. Michael Burawoy. "The contours of production politics", in Charles Bergquest (ed.) (1984) labour in the capitalist world economy.
   
7. Peter Waterman. "Labour relations in Nigeria port authority: A Marxist interpretation
   
8. Leo Panitch. Working class politics in crisis: essays on labour and the state. New left books (1986). Chapters 5, 6, and 7.
   
9. Colin Crouch. The politics of industrial relations. Chapter 8
   
10. Yahaya Hashim". Cooptation, control and resistance: The state and the Nigerian Labour Congress". Beckman and Sachikonye (eds.) Labour Regime and Liberalisation. The restructuring of state society relations in Africa
    
11. Dominic Strinati. "Capitalism, the state and industrial relations". Colin Crouch (ed.) State and Economy in Contemporary Capitalism.
    
12. Fashoyin. Industrial Relations in Nigeria
    
13. T. M. Yesufu. The dynamic of industrial relations: The Nigerian experience
    
14. Agwu Akpala, Industrial Relations Model for Developing Countries: The Nigerian System
    
15. Damachi, U. G. Industrial Relations in Africa
    
16. Abel K. Ubeku, Industrial Relation in Developing Countries: The case of Nigeria
    
17. Yusuf Bangura and Bjorn Beckman "African Workers and Structural Adjustment: The Nigerian Case". In Dharam Ghai (ed.). The IMF and the South: The Social Impact of crisis and Adjustment.
    
18. Issa Aremu. "SAP and Nigerian Labour" in Omotayo Olaniyan and C. N. Nwoke (eds.) SAP in Nigeria: The impact of SFEM on the Economy
    
19. Dafe Otobo. "Organised Labour and Structural Adjustment Policies in Nigeria", in Dafe Otobo (ed.) Further readings in Nigerian Industrial Relations
    
20. Bjorn Beckman. "The Politics of Labour and Adjustment: The experience of the Nigerian Labour Congress.
    
21. Fremabo O. Obafa. "Trade Union Policy in an Economic Recession", in Academic Digest Vol. No. 1990
    
22. Jimi Adeshina. "Towards the reconstruction of Industrial Relations Theory". In Dafe Otabo (ed.) Further readings in Nigerian Industrial Relations
    
23. Damachi, U. G. "Creating Industrial Peace in Nigeria", in Damachi U. G. and Tayo Fashoyun (eds.) Contemporary Problems in Nigerian Industrial Relations
    
24. Isaac Nnamdi, Obasi, State Labour Relations under SAP in Nigeria
    
25. Yusuf Bangura Crisis and Adjustment: The experience of Nigerian Workers.
    
26. Bjorn Beckman, "Trade Unions and Institutional reform: Nigerian Experiences with South African and Ugandan Comparisons
    
27. Bjorn Beckman. "The Politics of Reform: Responses of African Trade Unions with a South African Case.
    
28. Bjorn Beckman. "African Trade Unions and the Politics of Reform".
    
29. Imosili I. C. "The Impact of Economic Recession on Bargaining in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Industries", in Dafe Otobo and Morakinyo Omole: Readings in Industrial Relations in Nigeria.
    
30. Tayo Fashoyin. "Collective Bargaining Challenges during Economic Recession", in Damachi and Fashoyin (eds.) Contemporary Problems in Nigerian Industrial Relations
    
31. Bjorn Beckman, "Collective Bargaining and Political Reform: Textile Union Strategy in the Face of Crisis and Adjustment".
    
32. Gunilla A. and Bjorn B. "Bargaining for Survival: Unionised Workers in the Nigerian Textile Industry".
    
33. M. M. Yusif "Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining Strategies: New Trends in Labour Relations
    
34. Eskor Toyo "Deregulation, Collective Bargaining and the Settlement of Industrial Disputes".
    
35. Kiran Sarena. "Indian Wage Fixation: An Anatomy of Bangalore based Public Sector Strike". Journal of Contemporary Asia.
    
36. Alkali R. A. "Labour Problems of Wage Differentials". Journal of ECPER
    
37. Tayo Fashoyin. "Deregulation and Decentralisation of collective Bargaining: Problems and Prospects
    
38. Anne Wangal. "The ILO and Protection of Trade Union Rights: The Electronic Industry in Malaysia". In Roger South hall (ed.) Trade Unions and Industrialisation in the Third World.
    
39. Tayo Fashoyin. ILO and Nigerian Workers
    
40. Jean Muchel Servas. "ILO Standards on Freedom of Association and their implementation", in International Labour Review Vol.123 No.6 (1984)
    
41. UD, Globalisation, Work and Labour Standards
    
42. Robert Taylor. "Trade Unions and Transnational Industrial Relations". ILLS
    
43. Colin Hay. "Globalisation: New Labour and Alternatives".
    
44. Ashim Roy. "Imperialist globalization and Labour
    
45. Edward Webster and Sakhela Buhlungu, "Between Marginalisation and Revitalisation: The State of Trade Unions in South Africa". ROAPE No.100 (2004)
    
46. Eddie Webster and Glenn Adler, "Exodus without a Map? The Labour Movement in a Liberalising South Africa", in Beckman and Sachikonye (eds.) op. cit
    
47. Ismet Akca, "Globalisation, State and Labour: Towards a Social Movement Unionism
    
48. No name, "For a New Trade Union Initiative: Globalisation and Labour".
    
49. Kerstin Hamann and John Kelly. "Union Revitalisation in Comparative Perspective".
    
50. Karl Polanyi. The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of our Time
    
51. Bjorn Beckman and L. M. Sachikonye (eds) (2001). Labour Regimes and Liberalisation: The Restructuring of state – society relations in African.
    

Habibu A. S. (1999). Public Policy Analysis: Theoretical and Applied Approaches.