*Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, discloses the Union will organise a nationwide mass rally February 4, 2025, describing the Nigerian Communications Commission鈥檚 approved 50 percent tariff increments for Telcos as ‘insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace’

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to the workers’ union recent disapproval of the 50 percent tariff increments the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it also will organise a nationwide rally Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, who disclosed the Union’s next move in a communiqu茅 issued Wednesday, January 29, 2025, said the NLC took the decision at an emergency meeting convened by its National Administrative Council (NAC) Wednesday.

绿帽献妻 reports the NCC lately announced its approval for a 50 percent tariff increase for telecoms operators in the West African country.

Photo collage of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, and logos of major telecoms companies

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement, had explained that the price adjustment though lower than the 鈥渙ver 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability鈥�.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission stated the approval 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.

The NCC further said: “These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission鈥檚 standard practice for tariff.

“It be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”

Ajaero: Workers, masses grappling with 鈥榰nprecedented economic hardship鈥�

Shortly after the Commission’s announcement of the approved tariff adjustment for MNOs, the leadership of NLC, January 22, in a statement had condemned the tariff hike approval.

Ajaero described the rate of tariff adjustment as an unjust burden on the Nigerian consumers who are still grappling with economic challenges.

He equally expressed concern over the 鈥渢iming鈥� of the hike, noting that it coincides with rising inflation and declining purchasing power in the economy.

Stressing that telecoms services now constitute a basic necessity to Nigerians, the leadership of the Labour union explained how the average Nigerian worker spends approximately 10 percent of his/her income on telecoms charges.

The statement noted: 鈥淭his 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.

鈥淭elecommunications services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information.鈥�

Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of his/her wages on telecoms charges, he further argued.

Union not against tariff increments but 50 percent upward adjustment?

Clarifying its position on the approved 50 percent telecoms tariff increments, Ajaero contextualised the Labour Union鈥檚 position: “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 percent of his salary 鈥� a cost that is unsustainable.鈥�

The NLC urged, therefore, urged telecoms consumers to reject the tariff hike and prepare for a collective action, including the possibility of a mass boycott of telecommunications services, to compel a reversal of the increase.

Ajaero restated: 鈥淣LC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase.

鈥淲e therefore call on the government, the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around it.

“If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50 percent hike.”

Labour union urges affiliates, state councils to mobilise members for rally

The NLC, after its NAC meeting Wednesday, January 29, said the proposed mass rally would serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a National Minimum Wage of only N70,000.

The workers’ union also contended that the population has suffered increments in petrol price, high cost of food items, increase in electricity tariffs, and general rising inflation.

The Union, therefore, directed its affiliates and state councils to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the nationwide protest rally, just as it urged willing civil society allies to also join the preparation.

Ajaero stated the Labour Congress as well asked all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against what it described as an “unjust policy”.

He further noted that the National Administrative Council of NLC completely rejected the NCC-approved 50 percent telecom tariff adjustments for Telcos, as it considers as too harsh for Nigerian telecoms consumers.

The communiqu茅 stated: “It, therefore, strongly condemns the Nigerian Communications Commission鈥檚 decision to approve the increase in telecommunications tariffs.

鈥淭his decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by Policies of government which was no fault of theirs.”

Union demands suspension of tariff hike implementation, or 鈥�.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress also has demanded an immediate suspension of the 50 percent tariff hike.

The workers’ union urged the Federal Government, NCC, and National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, to engage in meaningful dialogue with critical stakeholders to review the proposed tariff adjustment within the context of the economic realities facing millions of Nigerian consumers.

According to the NLC President, if this demand is not addressed, the union will escalate its actions, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunications services and further mass actions which may involve nationwide withdrawal of “our service to resist policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality.”

The communiqu茅 said: 鈥淭he Nigeria Labour Congress remains committed to protecting the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens against exploitative economic policies.

鈥淲e will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people.”

Ajaero stated: “Nigerian workers and citizens must unite and take action to prevent further economic oppression.

鈥淲e must resist any policy that prioritises corporate profits over the well-being of the people.”

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