…threatens total shutdown of telecom facilities from March 1, 2025
The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, has condemned the implementation of the 59% tariff hike, demanding immediate reversal and total boycott of telecommunication services from Thursday, February 13, 2925.
This was contained in a communique issued after the meeting of its central working committee, held at Lokoja, on Tuesday, according to a statement signed by Joe Ajaero, the NLC President and made available to BusinessDay, on Wednesday
The NLC Central Working Committee (CWC), said it received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50% tariff hike, despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Recall that, following the NLC objections to the tariff hike, the federal government established a 10-man committee to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.
The NLC, while condemning this action by the telecommunications companies, described it 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 Nigerian people.”
According to the NLC, “ The CWC-in-session believes that this 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.
This unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since government clearly favours the rich against the people.
In it resolution after the meeting, the NLC demanded “an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today, and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
Read also: NLC shelves nationwide protests over 50% telco tariff hike
“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.
The NLC also demands “ 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 NLC directed all State Councils “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.”
The CWC also reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government, adding that 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”.
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