National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services in protest against the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC condemned the tariff hike, describing it as an unjust burden on citizens already grappling with severe economic challenges.
Ajaero stated that the increase, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), demonstrates the government’s prioritization of corporate profits over the welfare of its citizens.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs,” Ajaero said. “This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.”
The NLC noted that telecommunication services are now a basic necessity, with the average Nigerian worker spending around 10% of their income on telecom charges. Ajaero explained that the hike would further increase this burden, citing that for workers earning the minimum wage of ₦70,000, telecom expenses would rise from ₦7,000 to ₦10,500 monthly, representing 15% of their salary.
“This cost is unsustainable for the average Nigerian worker,” Ajaero said.
The labour leader also criticized the government’s swift approval of the tariff hike, which was finalized within a month, while it took nearly a year to implement the revised minimum wage. He called on the National Assembly to hold the executive accountable for policies that undermine the welfare of Nigerians.
“We must ask: When will the government stand for the people it swore to protect? When will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and ensure the welfare of the majority is prioritized over corporate interests?”
The NLC urged the Federal Government, NCC, and National Assembly to halt the implementation of the tariff hike and engage in discussions to agree on a more reasonable and humane rate of increase.
Ajaero called on Nigerians to resist the tariff hike through collective action, including a mass boycott of telecommunication services, to demand its reversal.
“This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people. Together, we will resist this injustice and demand that the government prioritises the interests of its citizens over corporate interests,” he said.
The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens, pledging to continue advocating against policies that entrench poverty and inequality.
