By Tonia Okereke
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, rejected the planned increase of tariff by telecommunications companies.
The Nigerian Telecommunications Commission had announced its approval of the request by telcos to increase tariff but the agency also issued a directive that the planned increase shouldn’t go above 50%.
Related news: https://frontlinenews.com.ng/breaking-ncc-approves-50-tariff-increase-by-telcos/
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told journalists at Labour House, Abuja, that while Organised Labour was not averse to the tariff increase considering the galloping inflation in the country, it disagreed with the approved 50% rate.
He said: “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs.
“This 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”.
Ajaero called for mass action against the hike, saying Organised Labour before such an increment was announced.
He added, “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 ₦70,000, this means an increase from ₦7,000 to a staggering ₦10,500 per month or 15% of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable
“This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritizing corporate profits over citizens’ welfare.
“It is shocking that the government approved this 50% tariff increase for telecom companies within a month, yet took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage for workers, despite the rising cost of living and inflation eroding purchasing power.
“This glaring disparity underscores a troubling reality: the government appears more aligned with the interests of wealthy corporations than with the needs of the workers and citizens it is meant to serve.
“We must ask: When will the government stand for the people it swore to protect? When will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and hold the executive accountable for policies that blatantly undermine the welfare of the majority? When will the common man heave a sigh of relief in Nigeria?
“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”
Be the first to comment