The role of the state in modern capitalist economies can hardly be ignored. Whether through legislation, macro-economic policy or its role as an employer, the presence of the state is pervasive. Developing countries has developed an Industrial Relations System in which the state plays an active role. As in other African Countries, the state through its most powerful apparatus Government have accepted and are applying the policies based on the belief that the other parties in Industrial Relations System (workers and Employers) cannot be left entirely to regulate all aspect of the work system. In few of the above, this essay seek to discuss the view that non-state intervention in industrial relations is intervention in favour of capital. Initially, key terms are defined, main topic is discussed and subsequently concluded.
Otobo (2000) defines the state as an institutional system of political government, with a monopoly over tax and the legitimate use of force in a society (Otobo, 2000).
Wailes (2002) states that, industrial relations means relationship between management and workmen in a unit or an industry. In its wider connotation, it means the organisation and practice of multi pronged (split) relationships between workers and management,unions and workers, in an industry. Therefore, Industrial relations is that part of management which is concerned with the manpower of the enterprise (pp. 31-34).

Plowman (2006) postulates that the notion of non-state intervention in industrial relations is intervention in favour of capital is very true and supports the argument that individual contracts take away the power and control from workers, allowing managers to exhibit a greater level of control over working conditions and pay. Many conditions such as annual and sick leave, penalty and overtime rates, extension of the ‘ordinary’ working hours are being traded off.