The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the 50% tariff increase by telecommunication companies, demanding an immediate reversal to the previous rates.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite an earlier agreement between the NLC and the Federal Government to allow a 10-man committee to review the proposed tariff hike before implementation, telecom firms have proceeded with the increase. In response, the NLC has issued a March 1 deadline for a total shutdown of telecom operations if the tariffs are not reverted.
In a communique signed by President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, following the NLC Central Working Committee meeting in Lokoja, the union accused telecom firms of betraying trust and disregarding due process by implementing the hike before the committee’s review was completed.
As an initial protest measure, the NLC has directed Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO services daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 to the end of February 2025.
“All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of data from these companies, which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerians,” the statement read.
The union also demanded the repatriation of funds siphoned abroad by these telecom firms and urged its State Councils and Affiliate Unions to begin nationwide sensitization and mobilization efforts.
Additionally, the NLC addressed the ongoing discussions on Tax Reform Bills, stressing that while fiscal reforms are necessary, tax policies must ease the financial burden on Nigerian workers rather than worsen economic hardship.
