Telecom: February Protest to Force Reversal of 50% Tarrif Hike – NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on all affiliate bodies to mobilise it’s members for February 4th nationwide protest against the 50% increase in telecom services.
Joe Ajaero, NLC President, in a statement on Wednesday, said the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC met and took the decision to embark on the protest to force the Federal Government reverse the increase.
“To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Ajaero stated, “that the rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only ₦70,000; a population that has suffered outrageous hike in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation.”
The President directed all the NLC affiliates and State Councils to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the February 4, 2025, nationwide protest rally.
“Willing civil society allies are also encouraged to join the preparation. The Congress calls on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy.
“NAC-in-session demands an immediate suspension of the 50% tariff hike.
” It calls on the Federal Government, the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with critical stakeholders to review the proposed tariff adjustment within the context of the economic realities facing Nigerians”, he said.
The NLC warned that “Should these not be heeded, the Nigeria Labour Congress will escalate its actions, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and further mass actions which may involve nationwide withdrawal of our service to resist policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality.”
The NLC said it is committed to protecting the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens against exploitative economic policies.
“We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people. Nigerian workers and citizens must unite and take action to prevent further economic oppression. We must resist any policy that prioritizes corporate profits over the well-being of the people”, he added.
NLC said the NAC-in-session totally rejected the 50% Telecom Tariff Hike, which it considers as too harsh for citizens.
It therefore strongly condemned the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC’s decision to approve the increase in telecommunications tariffs.
The Labour Union described the decision as “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by Policies of Government, which was no fault of theirs”
Recall that the Union had earlier urged the Federal Government to revert to the old rates, following the economic hardship currently faced by Nigerians.
