The politics of vulnerability: Exit, voice and capture in three Nigerian informal manufacturing clusters

Abstract:
This book chapter examines whether informal economic associations provide an effective mechanism for political voice. Moreover, the effects of economic and political liberalisation on associations within the informal economy are discussed. These questions are assessed by studying associations of small producers in three informal manufacturing clusters in the town of Aba in Nigeria, specializing in the production of garments, shoes, and cosmetics.
The associations deal with maintainance of law and order,dealing with local government and police, and social welfare assistance. Some of the associations have also attempted to regulate quality and prices. Most of the associations lack legal recognition, although one is registered nationally and some on state level. The associations do not offer business services such as credit and savings, due to lack of resources. There have been conflicts between the well-established economic position of the leadership and the survivalist needs of the poor members. The garment associations are aiming to overcome the divide between tailors and mass producers. They have also expressed an interest in pursuing links with the national textile workers union (NUTGTWN) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) regarding their common opposition to Asian textile imports The cosmetics associations were plagued by low density, and divisions between the male leadership and the predominantly female membership, as well as between the more established and the survivalist producers.
The case studies represent real difficulties of raising collective voice through the associations. In the case studies, the associations tend to represent the interest of the leadership, and fall into cliental relations with the local authorities. The complex interaction between occupational, communal, religious and class identities is seen as important in explaining the dynamics of political organising. Despite the difficulties faced in the three clusters, the paper sees potential in this kind of organising and points out that channels for the expression of a collective voice can only emerge over time and are a result of persistent struggles.