By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized the recent 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs by major service providers, demanding an immediate reversal to the previous rates.
Earlier, the NLC and the Federal Government had established a 10-member committee tasked with reviewing the tariff hike and providing recommendations within two weeks.
However, despite this agreement, telecom companies proceeded with the price adjustments, leading the NLC to issue a March 1 deadline for a total shutdown of their operations if the tariffs are not reversed.
In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja following a Central Working Committee meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the union accused telecom firms of breaching trust and failing to follow due process by implementing the increase before the committee concluded its review.
The Congress also criticized the government for not taking adequate steps to protect Nigerians from corporate exploitation.
As part of its resistance to the tariff hike, the NLC has directed Nigerian workers and citizens willing to support the cause to boycott the services of MTN, Airtel, and Glo every day between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from February 13 until the end of the month.
“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,” the statement read.
The NLC also instructed all its state councils to begin immediate awareness campaigns and mobilization efforts among their members and the general public.
Additionally, the Congress called on its affiliate unions to encourage their members nationwide to observe an “electronic silence” during the specified hours.
During the meeting, the union also reviewed the government’s ongoing discussions on Tax Reform Bills.
While acknowledging the necessity of fiscal policy adjustments, the NLC maintained that any new tax policies should ease the financial burden on Nigerian workers rather than worsen their economic challenges.