Tariff Hike: NLC Asks Workers, Citizens To Boycott Telcos’ Services Three Hours Daily

…Threatens Shutdown Of Telcos’ Operations Nationwide

ABUJA – The controversies surround­ing the hike in telecommuni­cations tariff may not have waned as the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has drawn the battle-lines, urging Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, Airtel, and GLO daily be­tween 11:00a.m and 2:00p.m until the end of February 2025.

The decision was adopted by the Central Working Com­mittee (CWC) of the NLC af­ter their meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday.

Labour also threatened that if the telecommunica­tions companies failed 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 CWC also deliber­ated on other pressing na­tional issues, including the proposed Tax Reform Bills, as well as the roll-out of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses for the North Central Zone of Nigeria.

In the communique signed by Joe Ajaero, President of NLC and Emmanuel Ugboa­ja, Secretary General of NLC, respectively, the labour centre condemned the Federal Gov­ernment and the Nigerian Communications Commis­sion for going ahead to im­plement a 50% hike in tariff despite an initial agreement reached on the matter.

Ajaero said the CWC re­ceived with grave concern the news that telecommuni­cations companies have com­menced the implementation of a 50% tariff hike despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communi­cations Commission (NCC).

He went down memory lane, recalling that a 10-man committee had been consti­tuted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff struc­ture.

“The CWC strongly con­demns this action by the tele­communications companies, describing it as a betrayal of trust, an affront to the princi­ples of negotiation, and a di­rect slap on the government and its institutions and a dis­dain for Nigerian people,” he stated.

Ajaero described the lat­est implementation of hike in telcos tariff as a further demonstration of regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandon­ment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government.

He regretted that this un­warranted and premature tariff hike demands an im­mediate response from our collective resolve since gov­ernment clearly favours the rich against the people.

He said following the meet­ing at Lokoja, Kogi State, they came to the resolutions, “the CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today, and insists that the companies re­vert to the previous tariff un­til the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.

“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that, begin­ning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily be­tween 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM 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.

“All NLC state councils are directed to commence immediate sensitisation and mobilisation of their mem­bers and the general public within their jurisdictions.

“All NLC affiliate unions are requested to mobilise their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.

“We implore all of our civil society allies and other interested stakeholders to join us in making this action effective”.

On the proposed tax re­form bills, NLC said any tax policies that is not designed to alleviate the burdens on Nigerian workers is not sus­tainable.

“The CWC also reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the gov­ernment. While acknowl­edging the need for fiscal reforms, the congress insists that any tax policies must be designed to alleviate the bur­dens on Nigerian workers and not worsen the existing economic hardship. The NLC shall engage with relevant authorities to ensure that tax reforms are fair, equita­ble, and worker-friendly.

“The Nigeria Labour Con­gress remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and citizens. The CWC calls on all Nigerians to unite in this struggle against exploit­ative economic policies and to actively participate in the outlined actions to demand justice and fairness in tele­communications, taxation, and transportation policies,” the joint communique by Ajaero and Ugboaja added.