By Rauf Oyewole
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions have expressed readiness to demonstrate against the 50 percent tariff increment granted to telecommunications companies by the federal government.
NLC had rejected the development, saying that it would further compound the burden on Nigerians, urging the government to rescind its decision or face protest by the union.
In a notice on 20th January, by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the government approved requests from network operators for tariff adjustments citing rising operational costs. It further said that the last adjustment was in 2013.
However, the NLC while responding, said that the decision is coming at a time 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.
“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of his wages on telecom charges,” NLC President, Joe Ajaero said on January 23.
Meanwhile, the Union in Bauchi has said that all its affiliates have agreed and are ready for Tuesday's protests to shut down the NCC office in Bauchi. The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Dauda Shuaibu while addressing journalists on Monday said that the would ensure full compliance with its national leadership’s directives.
“We encourage our members and the general public to give us their support to reject this 50% increment in totality,” he said.
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