NLC, Reps Demand Reversal Of Telecom Tariff Hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has condemned the implementation of a 50% tariff hike by telecommunication companies, and demanded immediate reversal to the old tariff.
... As NLC Threatens Shutdown,
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has condemned the implementation of a 50% tariff hike by telecommunication companies, and demanded immediate reversal to the old tariff.
This was even as the House of Representatives, also remanded the reversal of the telecommunication tariff as the new fees take effect.
The NLC and the Federal Government had earlier constituted a 10-man committee to deliberate on the tariff hike within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new tariff structure.
However, despite the agreement, telecom firms have proceeded with the increase, prompting NLC to issue a March 1 deadline for a total shutdown of their operations if the old tariffs are not reverted to.
A communique jointly signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, after a meeting of the NLC Central Working Committee in Lokoja on Tuesday, accused telecom firms of betraying the trust and disregarding due process by implementing the hike before the review by the 10-man committee was completed.
Labour further criticized the government over its failure to protect the citizens from corporate exploitation.
As a first step in resisting the tariff hike, the NLC has directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 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.
“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."
Labour then, asked it's state councils to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
It also further requested its affiliate unions to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours, just it reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government.
Acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the Congress insisted that tax policies must be designed to alleviate the burdens of Nigerian workers instead of worsening the existing economic hardship.
Meanwhile, following a motion of urgent national importance by a member, Oboku Oforji, the House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the immediate suspension of the 50% hike in telecoms tariff, just as it also decried the poor service delivery from telecom operators and insisted that an increase in tariff should not happen until service improves.
The NLC and the Federal Government had earlier constituted a 10-man committee to deliberate on the tariff hike within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new tariff structure.
However, despite the agreement, telecom firms have proceeded with the increase, prompting NLC to issue a March 1 deadline for a total shutdown of their operations if the old tariffs are not reverted to.
A communique jointly signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, after a meeting of the NLC Central Working Committee in Lokoja on Tuesday, accused telecom firms of betraying the trust and disregarding due process by implementing the hike before the review by the 10-man committee was completed.
Labour further criticized the government over its failure to protect the citizens from corporate exploitation.
As a first step in resisting the tariff hike, the NLC has directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 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.
“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."
Labour then, asked it's state councils to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
It also further requested its affiliate unions to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours, just it reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government.
Acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the Congress insisted that tax policies must be designed to alleviate the burdens of Nigerian workers instead of worsening the existing economic hardship.
Meanwhile, following a motion of urgent national importance by a member, Oboku Oforji, the House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the immediate suspension of the 50% hike in telecoms tariff, just as it also decried the poor service delivery from telecom operators and insisted that an increase in tariff should not happen until service improves.
The lawmakers further no ordered the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to suspend the tariff increase because of the economic hardship in the country.
This was as telecommunications operators in the country began the implementation of the new tariff regime earlier approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC.
Many subscribers on social media who used the services of telecom operators on Tuesday observed about a 50% increase in the cost of calls, data and text messages.
As of December 2023, Nigeria has over 224 million subscribers, according to official data by the regulator. MTN boasts over 87 million subscribers, representing 38.79% of the total market share, the highest in the country by any licensed Mobile Network Operator, MNO). Globacom and Airtel have 61 million subscribers each, while 9mobile has 13.9 million users.
Earlier in January, the NCC said telephone subscribers in Nigeria would pay more for data and airtime as it approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in the country.
A spokesman for the regulator, Reuben Muoka, had said the price adjustment, though lower than the “over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability”
The regulator had said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened an industrial action, demanding a reversal of the hike, but the labour unions aborted their rallies after last-minute talks with government representatives.
Nigerians are experiencing what many have described as the worst economic crisis in decades following the removal of energy subsidies and the floating of the naira. The two economic policies, many believed, have plunged Nigeria into severe inflationary pressures.
Shortly after his inauguration in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu, had removed petrol subsidy and floated the naira. Petrol prices from over N200 per litre to over N1,100 in many parts of the country. The naira also wobbled from around N700/$ to N1,600, just as good and commodity inflation have skyrocketed as Nigerians battle what has become the worst cost of living crisis since the country’s independence in 1960.
Many subscribers on social media who used the services of telecom operators on Tuesday observed about a 50% increase in the cost of calls, data and text messages.
As of December 2023, Nigeria has over 224 million subscribers, according to official data by the regulator. MTN boasts over 87 million subscribers, representing 38.79% of the total market share, the highest in the country by any licensed Mobile Network Operator, MNO). Globacom and Airtel have 61 million subscribers each, while 9mobile has 13.9 million users.
Earlier in January, the NCC said telephone subscribers in Nigeria would pay more for data and airtime as it approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in the country.
A spokesman for the regulator, Reuben Muoka, had said the price adjustment, though lower than the “over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability”
The regulator had said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened an industrial action, demanding a reversal of the hike, but the labour unions aborted their rallies after last-minute talks with government representatives.
Nigerians are experiencing what many have described as the worst economic crisis in decades following the removal of energy subsidies and the floating of the naira. The two economic policies, many believed, have plunged Nigeria into severe inflationary pressures.
Shortly after his inauguration in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu, had removed petrol subsidy and floated the naira. Petrol prices from over N200 per litre to over N1,100 in many parts of the country. The naira also wobbled from around N700/$ to N1,600, just as good and commodity inflation have skyrocketed as Nigerians battle what has become the worst cost of living crisis since the country’s independence in 1960.
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