NLC declares nationwide protest over 50% hike in telecom tariff

Following the approval of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) over the proposed hike in telecoms, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has resolved to a nationwide anti-telecom tariff hike protest on Tuesday, February 4.

The Nation learnt that the nationwide protest was agreed on at the ongoing National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting of NLC.

It is aimed at warning the government that workers would resist the planned hike as it would worsen the poverty level across the country.

The Nation reports NCC approved a 50% tariff increase for mobile network operators.

President Joe Ajaero said: “The NLC expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, of a 50 per cent increase in telecommunication tariffs.

READ ALSO: NCC approves telecoms’ demand for 50% tariff hike

“This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is an apparent assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.

“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 per cent 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 per cent of his salary — an unsustainable cost.”

Source: The Nation