Industrial relations in developing countries have been products of both endogenous and exogenous factors. In several countries, predominantly former colonial dependencies, the sudden creation of the original and formal cradle of industrial relations - wage-employment - had been externally induced. Subsequently, these initial structures gradually grew in the designated countries and remained intact for varying periods beyond political independence and through the 1970s. But, for reasons also internally and externally accounted, the industrial relations institutions in these countries have undergone further regimes of transformation and regeneration - sometimes chaotic and disruptive of macrolevel development - through the 1980s and 1990s.

The major elements of industrial relations in developing countries have been: the colonial impact; nationalism, post-colonial states and crises of development; an overbearing role of government, coupled with political problems and instability; the impact of structural adjustment programmes; the democratic challenge; and the emergent demands of social partnership.

The patterns of industrial relations in developing countries are still largely disparate, but with a few coherent features gradually emerging. The continuity of these in the very long term, and the probable additional benefits of social well-being and political peace in these nations, should strengthen the overall framework of relationships.

Segun Matanmi