Occupational Stressor: Deprivation of Workers' Bargaining Power among Casualised Workers

Introduction: The term casualization has been loosely used in some circles to infer a model of employment. However, in some climes, it is used to describe a precarious work arrangement characterized by bad work conditions, job insecurity, low wage and lack of employment benefit, deprivation of right to organize and collectively bargain. Objective: This study examined casualization and the ensuing effects from deprivation of Workers? Bargaining Power in the oil and gas industry. Methodology: A cross sectional survey of workers who had been casual workers before assuming permanent roles. An open-ended questionnaire was used for the collection of primary data. Out of 250 (Two hundred and fifty) administered copies, 210 (Two hundred and ten) copies were dully filled and returned. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics which includes percentages, mean and frequency tables for the research questions. Three hypotheses were analysed by multiple regression of Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (BLUE) of ordinary least square (OLS) statistical method and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Result and Discussion: It revealed that casualization has significant negative effects on workers bargaining power. Recommendation: It is recommended that governments should be pragmatic in the implementation of national and international Labour Laws especially anti casualization clauses. Multinational oil firms have the capacity under the existing Labour Law to put an end to casualization but are simply taking advantage of the flaws in the labour laws. Employers should ensure casual workers are allowed the right to join labour union and follow due process in terminating casual workers.