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Threatens to shut down telecom sector
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, 4 February, to oppose the 50 per cent hike in telecom services by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The NLC made this known in a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and issued after the Congress’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on Wednesday.
It stated that the rally would serve as a warning to the government about the dangers of imposing such an increase on a population struggling with a minimum wage of only N70,000 and facing rising costs of petrol, food, electricity, and inflation.
The NLC instructed all national affiliates and state councils to begin mobilising for the protest. It encouraged civil society organisations to join the preparations while calling on all Nigerian workers, informal sector workers, and the general public to stand in solidarity and oppose what it described as an unjust policy.
The workers’ body demanded the immediate suspension of the 50 per cent telecom tariff increase and called for meaningful dialogue between the federal government, the NCC, and the National Assembly with critical stakeholders.
The NLC warned of the possibility of escalating actions, including a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and additional mass actions, should these demands not be met.
“After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were reached: NAC-in-session totally rejected the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike, which it considers too harsh for citizens.
“It therefore strongly condemns the Nigerian Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase in telecommunications tariffs.
“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship caused by government policies through no fault of their own.
“To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, 4 February 2025.
“The rally will serve as a warning about the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only N70,000—a population that has suffered an outrageous hike in the price of petrol, a high cost of food, an increase in electricity tariffs, and rising inflation.
“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the 4 February 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 per cent tariff hike. It calls on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications 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.
“Should these demands not be met, 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 the nationwide withdrawal of our services to resist policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains 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 prioritises corporate profits over the well-being of the people,” the communiqué read in parts.