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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, expressed outrage over the hike in tariffs by telecommunications companies in the country in spite of earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This was as the NLC described the action by the telecommunications companies as “a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institutions and a disdain” for the Nigerian people.
The organised labour stressed the unfortunate development is a further demonstration of Regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandonment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government.
The NLC therefore demanded an immediate reversal of the hike to avoid unpleasant consequences, stressing that if the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, there would be a total shutdown of their operations nationwide with effect from March 1, 2025.
The NLC further declared that as a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike, it has directed that from Thursday, February 13, 2025, workers and other willing citizens should boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 am and 2:00pm daily until the end of February 2025.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the Central Working Committee (CWC), meeting of the NLC which held in Lokoja, Kogi State on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, in which the organised labour urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of Data from the telecommunications companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting citizens.
The communique which was signed by the President and General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Emma Ugboaja respectively, directed all State Councils of the Congress and industrial union affiliates to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their area of jurisdictions.
It further stated; “The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 percent tariff hike today (February 11), despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“It was recalled that a 10-man committee had been constituted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.
“This unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since government clearly favours the rich against the people.
“The CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today (February 11), and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that, beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM 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.
“All NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
“All NLC Affiliate Unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.
“We implore all of our Civil society allies and other interested stakeholders are to join us in making this action effective.”
On the Tax reform bills, the communique said “the CWC also 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.
“The NLC shall engage with relevant authorities to ensure that tax reforms are fair, equitable, and worker-friendly,” it emphasised.
The NLC assured that it remained committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and citizens and called on all Nigerians to unite in this struggle against exploitative economic policies and to actively participate in the outlined actions to demand justice and fairness in telecommunications, taxation, and transportation policies.