A SOCIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND GENDER EQUITY AT WORK: IMPLICATION FOR NIGERIAN WORKERS.

Abstract

There has been an alteration in the workplace by the massive entry of women into paid employment as a result of their struggle to achieve economic equality, develop new social role, and renegotiate the relationship between paid and unpaid work. The large entry of women into the workplace in Nigeria has made obsolete the ‘male breadwinner1 model, giving rise to a model of dual career and single parent households, and loosening of the linear life-course in favour of a wider range of life paths. Despite the labour force participation rate, there seems to be some improvement in the educational and professional attainment of Nigerian women. The gradual closing up of the labour force participation rate and considerable improvement in women's educational and professional attainment is yet to translate into significant improvement with respect to increased decision-making role for women and the government creating enabling work friendly environment for women. Thus, there is still a persistent need to clamour for an expansion of women's economic and social opportunities and the advancement of women's rights. The methodology adopted is qualitative method using gender gap analysis as an issue based approach. This study recommends the need for government to make sure negotiated policies, rights and benefits are communicated to all workers on a regular basis (including those with non-permanent status).