The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the recent 50% tariff hike by telecommunication companies, demanding an immediate reversal to the previous rates.
This development comes despite an earlier agreement between the NLC and the Federal Government to set up a 10-man committee to review the proposed tariff increase.
The committee was expected to deliberate on the matter for two weeks and report back before any final decision was made on the new pricing structure.
However, telecom firms have gone ahead with the hike, disregarding the ongoing discussions. In response, the NLC has issued a firm ultimatum, threatening a total shutdown of telecom operations by March 1 if the tariffs are not reverted.
In a communique signed by President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, following a meeting of the NLC Central Working Committee in Lokoja on Tuesday, the union accused telecom firms of betraying trust and disregarding due process by implementing the hike before the review by the 10-man committee was completed.
The Congress also criticized the government for its failure to protect the citizens from corporate exploitation.
As a first step in resisting the tariff hike, the NLC has directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 until 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 Nigerian citizens.
“We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies.
“If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025,” the statement said.
The NLC directed all its State Councils to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
It also requested its Affiliate Unions to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.
The union also at the meeting reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government.
While acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the Congress insists that any tax policies must be designed to alleviate the burdens on Nigerian workers and not worsen the existing economic hardship.
