TRADE UNIONISM AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AS TOOLS FOR REALIZING FULL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Disability rights, which are synonymous to basic human rights, have become a central issue in all human right circles around the globe. This work focuses on the role of trade union actions in advancing the working rights and general human rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) through strategic collective bargaining and a disability inclusive collective agreement. This work posits that disability centred trade unions actions and a disability inclusive collective bargaining is the key to securing full inclusion and participation of PWD) in the labour and employment sector. This work finds that existing trade unions as well as collective agreements in Nigeria are not disability inclusive like their international counterparts and recommends amongst other things for Nigerian trade unions, the collective bargaining process and the resultant collective agreement to become disability inclusive so that PWDs in Nigeria can enjoy decent work, full inclusion and equal participation in the world of work. This will in the end, impact positively on the nations GDP and the general human rights record of Nigeria.