The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the 50% tariff hike imposed by telecommunication companies, demanding an immediate reversal to the previous rates.
Earlier, the NLC, in collaboration with the Federal Government, established a 10-member committee tasked with reviewing the tariff increase within two weeks and providing recommendations before any final decision was made. However, despite this agreement, telecom companies have moved forward with the hike, prompting the NLC to issue a stern warning. The union has set a March 1 deadline for a full shutdown of telecom operations unless the tariffs are reversed.
In a communiqué 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 the telecom firms of betraying public trust by disregarding due process and implementing the hike before the committee’s review was completed.
The NLC also criticized the Federal Government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation, urging a more proactive stance in defending public interests.
As a first step in opposing the hike, the NLC has called on Nigerian workers and concerned citizens to boycott services from MTN, Airtel, and Glo between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily, starting February 13 and continuing through to the end of February 2025.
The union further urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of data from these telecom providers, citing the practice as a significant tool for exploiting Nigerian consumers.
Additionally, the NLC is demanding the repatriation of all funds reportedly siphoned out of the country by these companies.
“If the telecommunication companies do not revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, we will proceed with a nationwide shutdown of their operations starting March 1, 2025,” the statement said.
The NLC has also instructed all State Councils to begin immediate awareness campaigns and mobilization efforts to engage both union members and the general public. Affiliate unions have been tasked with encouraging electronic silence during the designated hours to amplify the impact of the protest.
In the same meeting, the NLC reviewed ongoing discussions about the Tax Reform Bills under consideration by the government. While acknowledging the necessity of fiscal reforms, the NLC emphasized that any new tax policies must ease the burdens on Nigerian workers rather than exacerbate the existing economic challenges.
