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NLC announces nationwide protest against telecom tariff hike

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its intention to hold a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, in response to the 50% increase in telecom tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Diaspora digital media (DDM) revaild this protest, as confirmed at the ongoing National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting, is aimed at expressing strong opposition to the tariff hike, which the NLC argues will further exacerbate the economic struggles of Nigerian workers and citizens.

The NLC’s protest will serve as a direct warning to the government, signaling that the workers of Nigeria will not accept the hike without a fight.

According to NLC, the increase in telecom tariffs will only worsen the already dire poverty levels in the country, placing an undue burden on the average Nigerian worker.

The NLC had previously, on January 22, rejected the 50% tariff increase, calling it an unjust move in the face of worsening economic hardship.

In the statement condemning the tariff hike, NLC President Joe Ajaero described the decision as an “assault on the welfare” of the Nigerian people.

He emphasized that such a decision at a time of economic crisis shows a complete disregard for the well-being of workers, further enriching corporate entities while pushing workers into even greater hardship.

Ajaero’s comments underscore the NLC’s belief that the hike serves corporate interests rather than the public good.

NLC’s position on the matter is rooted in the essential nature of telecommunication services in Nigeria.

These services are vital for everyday communication, work, and access to critical information, which makes the tariff hike especially damaging.

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The average Nigerian worker already faces significant financial strain, with telecommunication expenses often accounting for a significant portion of their wages.

The NLC pointed out that a worker earning the minimum wage of N70,000 would see their telecom costs rise by 50%, increasing from N7,000 to N10,500 monthly.

This new cost would now represent 15% of the worker’s salary, a burden that the NLC insists is unsustainable.

The decision by the Nigerian government, through the NCC, to approve the 50% telecom tariff hike has been met with strong resistance from the NLC, which sees it as a clear disregard for the plight of Nigerian workers.

According to the NLC, the timing of the hike could not be worse, as workers already face unprecedented economic hardship, with inflation, high living costs, and stagnant wages affecting millions.

The union also argues that the tariff increase is a direct attack on workers’ purchasing power, with many already struggling to make ends meet.

The NLC has vowed to intensify its efforts, mobilizing workers across the country to take part in the February 4 protest.

The union has made it clear that they will not relent until the government rescinds its approval for the telecom tariff increase, warning that the protest will continue if necessary.

The NLC is urging the Nigerian government to reconsider its decision, citing the negative impact on the majority of the country’s population who are already living in poverty.

This move by the NLC highlights the ongoing tensions between labor unions and the government over economic policies that disproportionately affect workers.

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The union’s protest on February 4 is expected to garner significant attention, as it brings the voices of Nigerian workers to the forefront in opposition to a policy that they argue will further deepen inequality and hardship for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

As the February 4 protest approaches, the NLC’s position remains firm: the telecom tariff hike is not only unfair but also represents an additional strain on the already struggling Nigerian workforce.

The union’s actions indicate that they will continue to challenge policies that they perceive as detrimental to the welfare of their members and the broader Nigerian population.


For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook

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