The Role of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Protecting Workers’ Rights in Benue State

Tyonem Mathew Tersugh

doi:10.56201/jpaswr.v11.no4.2026.pg87.98

📄 Download Paper

The Role of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Protecting Workers’ Rights in Benue State

Tyonem Mathew Tersugh

Abstract

The Public Complaint Commission's role in defending workers' rights in Benue State, Nigeria, is examined in this study. The study is entirely qualitative and uses information from 15 key informants, including PCC employees and employees who filed complaints. The results demonstrated the widespread violations of workers' rights in Benue State, including late pay, unpaid overtime, arbitrary deductions, hazardous working conditions, discrimination, and favoritism among civil servants. The results also demonstrated that PCC intervened through follow-up, awareness campaigns, mediation, and complaint documentation, all of which were successful in resolving some complaints and disputes and guaranteeing accountability. The findings, however, showed that PCC's ability to do its job well is hindered by a lack of staff, funds, and enforcement mechanisms, as well as fear of reprisal and insufficient coordination amongst agencies. The study suggests that PCC should urgently establish frequent monitoring and evaluation of workplaces where complaints have been resolved, so ensuring ongoing improvements, preventing new violations, and fostering accountability.

References

Adebayo, T. (2020). Social media use among adolescents in Nigeria: Patterns and implications. University Press. Adepoju, T. (2019). Labour rights enforcement in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Lagos: Academic Press. Aina, L. O. (2012). Administrative justice and governance in Nigeria. Ibadan University Press. Alan Fox, A. (1966). Industrial sociology and workers’ rights. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. Daily Trust. (2023, March 15). PCC resolves hundreds of worker complaints in Benue State. Daily Trust. https://www.dailytrust.com Edeh, C., Ugbala, P., Nwokwu, I., & Ezika, C. (2018). The effectiveness of ombudsman institutions in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Nigerian Journal of Public Administration, 12(2), 45–62. Fajana, S. (2018). Labour relations in Nigeria. Lagos: Labofin Press. Hyman, R. (1975). Industrial relations: A Marxist introduction. London: Macmillan. International Labour Organization . (2019). World employment and social outlook: Trends 2019. Geneva: ILO. https://www.ilo.org International Labour Organization . (2023). Fundamental principles and rights at work. Geneva: ILO. https://www.ilo.org Klausen, J. (2014). The ombudsman institution: Global perspectives. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Kunle, O. (2012). The Public Complaints Commission and administrative justice in Nigeria. Journal of African Governance, 5(1), 77–92. Malemi, A. (2008). Ombudsman systems and administrative justice in post-colonial states. Abuja: National Press. Mutua, M. (2018). Oversight institutions in Africa: Promoting accountability and citizen rights. African Journal of Public Administration, 10(2), 34–50. Ojo, E., & Aluko, I. (2018). Mediation and dispute resolution in Nigeria’s public sector. Nigerian Journal of Governance, 14(3), 101–118. Okonjo-Iweala, N. (2020). Fostering equity and accountability in African workplaces. Lagos: Centre for Policy Studies. Olowu, D. (2015). Public administration and citizen engagement in Nigeria. Ibadan: University Press. Peetz, D. (2015). Labour relations and human rights: International perspectives. London: Routledge. jpaswr

The Role of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Protecting Workers’ Rights in Benue State

Abstract

References

More Articles from JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE RESEARCH