The Concept of Constructive Dismissal Under Nigerian Labour Law: Perspectives from South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-3062/15773Keywords:
Constructive dismissal, labour law, employment, reinstatement, Nigeria, South AfricaAbstract
In general, an employment contract is deemed wrongfully terminated when the termination is done in breach of its terms and conditions. Constructive dismissal occurs when an employee does not resign voluntarily but because the employer has created a hostile or intolerable environment, or deliberately made the workplace unfavourable. It is considered a termination because of the involuntariness of the employee’s resignation. Recent decisions of the National Industrial Court have reawakened the concept of constructive dismissal by protecting the dignity of persons and enforcing the duty of mutual respect in employment relationships in Nigeria. The paper examines the concept of constructive dismissal in an employment relationship. It discusses the grounds or instances where an employee will be constructively dismissed and the remedies available for such wrongful termination. The major problem identified by the paper is the absence of clear statutory intervention through the enactment of legislation on constructive dismissal in Nigeria. The paper adopts the doctrinal research method, using primary and secondary sources such as case law, books, journal articles, and internet materials to interrogate the concept and distinguish it from other forms of wrongful termination of employment. The paper drew lessons from South Africa intending to broaden knowledge on the concept of constructive dismissal and how important it is for safeguarding the interests and rights of workers in both jurisdictions. It concludes by making some recommendations, including the need for clear statutory interventions through enacting legislation on unfair dismissal as obtainable in other jurisdictions and extending the remedies beyond monetary compensation.
Metrics
References
Abiola G H, ‘The Unfair Labour Practices of Constructive Dismissal by Employers: Employees Right to Remedy’ <https://loyalnigerianlawyer.com/the-unfair-labour-practice-of-constructive-dismissal-by-employers-employees-right-to-remedy/> accessed 1 May 2023.
Aroyewun M, ‘Wrongful Termination of Employment in Nigeria: A Case for Reinstatement of Private Sector Employees’ (23 September 2021) <https://ssrn.com/abstract=4228254> accessed 4 May 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4228254
Atkinson R E, ‘Constructive Dismissal: What Do I Need to Know?’ (2021) <https://www.mondaq.com/southafrica/employee-rights-labour-relations/1141362/constructive-dismissal-what-do-i-need-to-know> accessed 28 October 2023.
Davidson L, ‘Solicitors ‘Constructive Dismissal’ (2021) <https://www.lyonsdavidson.co.uk.app/uploads/2021/101/constructive_dismissal.pdf> accessed 10 May 2023.
Dugeri M, ‘Unfair Termination of Employment in Nigeria’ (July 2015) <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unfair-termination-employment-nigeria-michael-dugeri> accessed 9 May 2023.
Emmanuel P, ‘The Principle of Constructive Dismissal Under the Nigerian Labour Law’ <https://sabilaw.org/the-principle-of-constructive-dismissal-under-the-nigerian-labour-law> accessed 1 May 2023.
Emiola A, Nigerian Labour Law (Emiola Publishing Ltd 2000).
Ewuzie M A and Ewulum B E, ‘Assessing the Quantum of Damages in Personal Injury Cases: Towards Contemporary Justice’ (2020) Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of Commercial and Property Law.
Garner B, Blacks’ Law Dictionary (10th edn, Thomson West 2014).
Gwyneth P, Employment Law (Sweet & Maxwell Ltd 2014).
Hepple B A, Employment Law (Sweet & Maxwell 1981).
Honeyball S, Textbook on Employment Law (14th edn, Oxford University Press 2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198748366.001.0001
James O, ‘Nigeria: Coercions: Reflections On Constructive Dismissal In Nigerian Labour Practice’ (2021) <https://www.mondaq.com/nigeria/employee-benefits--compensation/1103630/coercions-reflections-on-constructive-dismissal-in-nigerian-labour-practice> accessed 14 July 2023.
Kolawole O and Ogunseye O, ‘Termination of Contract of Employment with Statutory Flavour and the Remedy of Re-Instatement: Curtailing Summary and Unlawful Dismissal.’ (2018) JL Pol’y and Globalization.
Oji E A ‘Labour Law and Industrial Relations Through the Cases’ Judge, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, a paper delivered at a training in the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Lagos on Wednesday 17 November 2021.
Olorunisola K I and Olumuyiwa O, ‘Termination of Contract of Employment with Statutory Flavour and the Remedy of Re-Instatement: Curtailing Summary and Unlawful Dismissal’ (2018) Journal of Law Policy and Globalisation.
Patrick E, ‘The Principle of Constructive Dismissal Under the Nigerian Labour Law’ <https://sabilaw.org/the-principle-of-constructive-dismissal-under-the-nigerian-labour-law> accessed 1 May 2023.
Paul F and Whelan C J, ‘Job Security and the Role of Law: An Economic Analysis of Employment-at-will’ (1984) Stanford Journal of International Law.
Pitt G, Employment Law (Sweet & Maxwell Ltd 2014).
Rimi A and Uka O A, ‘ALP Article The Position of Nigerian Law on Termination of Employment: A Better View’ <https://alp.company/resources/business-advisory/position-nigerian-law-termination-employment-without-reason-better-view> accessed 3 May 2023.
Selwyn N M, Law of Employment (3rd edn, Butterworths 1980).
Ubanyionwu C J and C Osisioma, ‘Doctrine of Constructive Dismissal in Labour/Employment Law in Nigeria: A Review of the Decision in Modilim v United Bank for Africa PLC,’ (2019) Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence.
Utobo J O, ‘Employee’s Contract of Employment and Wrongful Dismissal from Service’ (2017) African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies.
Uvieghara E E, Labour Law in Nigeria (Malthouse Press Ltd 2001).
Worugji I N E and Worugju N E, ‘Constructive Dismissal under the Nigerian Labour Law: The Missing Link’ In Offornze. Amucheazi and San Atilola (eds) The National Industrial Court of Nigeria and Progressive Development of Labour and Employment Law in Nigeria, Essays in Honour of Hon. Justice BA Adejumo (Hybrid Consult 2019).
Cases
Booi v Amathole District Municipality and Others [2021] (CCT 119/20) ZACC 36.
Center for Autism Research and Education CC v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration [2020] 41 ILJ 2623 (LC).
Chabeli v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and Others [2009] (JR2241/08) ZALC 126.
Coetzer v The Citizen Newspaper [2003] 24 IU 622 (CCMA).
Ebere Ukoji v Standard Alliance Life Assurance Co. Ltd [2014] 47 NLLLR (Pt. 154) 531.
Etuechere Martins v National Film and Video Censors Board & Six Others [2019] NICN/ABJ/246/2019.
Fakuade v OAUTH [1993] 5 NWLR (PT.29).
Folarin Bakere v Lagos Building Investment Company Plc [2016] NICN/LA/626/2016.
Gordon v Altus [2015] ONSC 5663.
Howell v International Bank of Johannesburg Ltd [1990] II ILJ 791.
Jooste v Transnet Ltd t/a SA Airways [1995] 16 ILJ 629 (LAC).
Joseph Okafor v Nigerian Aviation Handling Company [2016] NICN/LA/291/2016.
Kruger v CCMA and Another [2002] 23 ILJ 2069 (LC).
Le Monde Luggage CC t/a Pakwells Petje v Dunn and Others [2007] 28 ILJ 2238 (LAC).
Lewis v Motor World Garages Ltd [1995] 1 ILR p.384.
LM Wulfsohn Motors (Pty) Ltd t/a Lionel Masters v Dispute Resolution Center and Others [2008] 29 ILJ 356 (LC).
Miss Ebere Ukoji v Standard Alliance Life Assurance Co. Ltd [2012] NICN/LA/48/2012.
Miss Okuribido Oluwafunke v Sustainability Limited [2020] NICN/LA/135/2017.
Murray v Minister of Defence [2008] 29 ILJ 1369 (SCA).
N.I.I.A. v Ayanfalu [2006] JELR 51259 (CA).
Nokeng Tsa Taemane Local Municipality v Louw No and Others [2018] (JA7/16) ZALAC 37.
Onyiaorah v Onyiaorah [2008] ALL FWLR (Pt. 397) 152 at 160, para A (CA).
Patrick Obiora Modillim v United Bank for Africa Plc. [2012] NICN/LA/353/2012.
Pretoria Society for the Care of the Retard v Loots [1997] 6 BLLR 721 (LAC).
Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd v JL and Others [2021] (C886/17; C627/2018) ZALCCT. 95
VanDer Riet v Leisurenet Ltd t/a Health and Racquet Club [1998] 5 BLLR471 (LAC).
Vivien Folayemi Asana v First Bank of Nigeria Ltd [2016] NICN/LA/184/2016.
Western Excavating (ECC) Ltd. v Sharp [1978] All ER 713.
Westcor SA (PTY) LTD v Mey and Others [2022] (C189/2021) ZALCCT 61.
Legislation
Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) s 254 (a–f)
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
The Employee’s Compensation Act, 2010.
Employment Rights Act, 1996 section 112.
Evidence Act, 2011 Section 133(1).
International Labour Organisation Convention on Forced or Compulsory Labour. 1930 (No.29). Article 12(i).
Labour Law Act, 2004 section 91.
National Industrial Court Act, 2006.
National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2017 Order 14 Rule 1.
South African Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) no. 75, 1997.
South African Employment Equity Act (EEA) no. 55, 1998.
South African Labour Relations Act 66, 1995 (as amended) s 186 (1) (e), section 193(2)(b).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
© Published by the Department of Public, Constitutional and International Law, University of South Africa and Unisa Press.
Accepted 2024-07-23
Published 2024-10-01