- Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) condemned 50% telecom tariff hike, called for protests and boycott
- The labour group emphasised that the price hike would increase the burden on Nigerian workers, who already spend 10% of their wages on telecom services
- However, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) explained that the tariff increase would improve telecom services despite widespread opposition
Outrage followed the Federal Government’s approval of a 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urging Nigerians to reject the hike.
The NLC threatened to organise protests and a boycott of telecom services if the increase went ahead.
In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Labour group called the tariff hike “ill-advised” and urged the federal government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Assembly to stop the increase so that further discussions could take place.
“NLC expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the federal government’s recent approval, through the NCC of a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs.
“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 calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike. We urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase,” it stated.
The NLC pointed out that telecommunication services are essential for communication, work, and access to information, and noted that the average Nigerian worker already spends about 10 per cent of their wages on telecom charges.
NLC knocks government for picking profits over workers
“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month or 15 per cent of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable.
“This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritising corporate profits over citizens’ welfare. It is shocking that the government approved this 50 per cent tariff increase for telecom companies within a month, yet took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage for workers, despite the rising cost of living and inflation eroding purchasing power.”
The NLC also accused the government of siding with wealthy corporations rather than addressing the needs of Nigerian workers and citizens.
The Labour group pledged to continue fighting for the rights of workers and the public, stating that it would not allow policies that deepen poverty and inequality.
Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) said that the tariff increase should lead to noticeable improvements in services for consumers.
However, the decision has sparked continued debate among industry stakeholders and consumers.
Telecom subscribers reject 50% tariff hike, threaten to sue NCC
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that telecom subscribers rejected the approved 50 per cent tariff hike.
The subscribers advised telecom operators to explore capital market funding options.