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NLC Urges Nigerians To Reject 50% Telecom Tariffs Hike

By Sunday Etuka, Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised Nigerians to reject the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.

NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero made the call in a statement on Wednesday.

He posited that the decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, was a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.

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He, therefore, urged the Federal Government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to stop its implementation, and allow a reasonable dialogue around it.

He said, “NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. We 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% hike. The NLC calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike.

“We urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase,” he said.

Recall that NCC had explained that the approval was given as requested by the Network Operators in response to prevailing market conditions, noting that the adjustment, was capped at a maximum of 50 per cent, which was lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some of the network operators.

However, Comrade Ajaero said the Union would not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality.

He argued that “the telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10% of their wages on telecom charges.

“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% of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable,” he said.

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