The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide protest on February 4 against the proposed 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
The decision to protest was reached during an ongoing National Administrative Council meeting, where the NLC rejected the tariff adjustment approved by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 22.
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The union insists that the increase is unfair to workers, especially amid current economic challenges.
NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the decision, stating that it prioritizes corporate profits over the welfare of citizens. He pointed out that many Nigerian workers already spend a significant portion of their income on telecom services, and the additional cost would impose a heavier financial burden.
The union also questioned the government’s priorities, noting that while the tariff hike was quickly approved, discussions on increasing the minimum wage have faced delays.
The NLC is urging the Federal Government, NCC, and National Assembly to halt the implementation of the tariff hike and engage in discussions that consider the interests of Nigerian workers.
As part of its mobilization efforts, the NLC is encouraging Nigerians to take collective action, including a possible boycott of telecom services. The union reaffirmed its commitment to resisting policies that deepen economic inequality and undermine workers’ rights.
