Organised Labour through the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has forced the Federal Government to reduce telecommunications tariff hike from 50 percent to 35 percent.
Vanguard gathered that the reduction followed a meeting of the 10-man committee comprising government and NLC representatives at the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, on Friday, February 21, 2025.
According to government sources, an official communique announcing the tariff reduction is expected to be released any moment from Saturday, February 22.
It was gathered that the meeting started around 4 pm and ended about 7 pm, where NLC representatives insisted that the tariff hike must be withdrawn.
Sources informed Vanguard that after much pressure from NLC representatives in the 10-man committee, the government and NCC buckled and agreed on 15 percent reduction.
Recall that NLC had on February 12, expressed outrage over the hike in tariff by telecommunications companies despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and demanded immediate reversal of the hike to avoid unpleasant consequences.
According to NLC, “If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.”
To show its seriousness, NLC declared that as a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike, it directed that from Thursday, February 13, 2025, (today) workers and other willing citizens should boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.
Leaders of NLC in a communique at the end of their Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tuesday, February 11, urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of data from the telecommunications companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.
The communique signed by the President and General Secretary of Congress, Joe Ajaero and Emma Ugboaja, respectively, directed NLC State Councils and industrial union affiliates to commence immediate sensitisation and mobilisation of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
The communique reads “The CWC of the NLC was convened in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, to deliberate on pressing national issues, including the 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike, the proposed Tax Reform Bills, and to rollout the Compressed Natural Gas CNG -powered buses for the North Central Zone of Nigeria.
“The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 percent tariff hike today (February 11), despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). “It was recalled that a 10-man committee had been constituted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.
“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies, describing it as a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institutions and a disdain for Nigerian people.
“CWC-in-session believes that this is a further demonstration of Regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandonment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government.
“This unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since government clearly favours the rich against the people.
Resolutions
“The CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today( February 11), and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that, beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.
“All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of Data from these companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.
“We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies.
“If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total
shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.
“All NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
“All NLC Affiliate Unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.
“We implore all of our Civil society allies and other interested stakeholders are to join us in making this action effective.”
Tax reform bills
On the Tax reform bills, the communique said “the CWC also reviewed the ongoing discussions around the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government. While acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the Congress insists that any tax policies must be designed to alleviate the burdens on Nigerian workers and not worsen the existing economic hardship.
“The NLC shall engage with relevant authorities to ensure that tax reforms are fair, equitable, and worker-friendly.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and citizens. The CWC calls on all Nigerians to unite in this struggle against exploitative economic policies and to actively participate in the outlined actions to demand justice and fairness in telecommunications, taxation, and transportation policies.”
