Labour Market Flexibility and the Rise of Non-Standard Work in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined labour market flexibility and rise of non-standard work within the Nigerian context. The objective is to examine the flexibility of the labour market and its contributions to the rise in non- standard jobs/employment in the Nigerian labour market. This paper adopted a descriptive approach which described, compared, and measured the data. Data were generated through integrative desk review of the official reports of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and empirical report from literature. Descriptive analyses were carried-out on the data and the outcome formed the basis for interpretation. The results of data analysis revealed a constant rise in non-standard work from 16.3% in 2010 to 22.80 in 2021. On the other hand, there has been a constant decline of standard jobs from 78.6% in 2010 to 43.9% in 2021. Key sectors (oil, banking, and telecommunication) also experienced rise in non-standard work. The paper concludes that labour market flexibility, which was aided by deregulation of national labour markets, provided a fertile ground for the rise of non-standard work in Nigeria. The paper recommends that non-standard workers’ right to a free choice of employment and respectable working circumstances should be recognized in national labour market and employment policies.