The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday, 4 February 2025, to resist the proposed 50 per cent increase in telecommunication tariffs.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting held in Abuja, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated that the mass rally would take place in all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
“To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only ₦70,000—a population that has suffered outrageous hikes in the price of petrol, a high cost of food, a hike in electricity tariffs, and general rising inflation,” the communiqué read.
The labour union directed all its affiliates and state councils to commence full mobilisation for the planned demonstration and called on civil society organisations to join the protest against what it described as an “unjust policy.”
“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the February 4, 2025, nationwide protest rally. Willing civil society allies are also encouraged to join the preparation. The Congress calls on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy,” it stated.
The NAC further demanded the immediate suspension of the proposed tariff increase, urging the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to review the planned adjustment.
The NLC described the tariff hike as “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by government policies.”
It warned that failure to reverse the decision could lead to further industrial actions, including a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.
“Should these not be heeded, the Nigeria Labour Congress will escalate its actions, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and further mass actions, which involve the nationwide withdrawal of our services to resist policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality,” it stated.
The labour union reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens against exploitative economic measures, vowing not to relent in its struggle against policies that undermine their welfare.
“Nigerian workers and citizens must unite and take action to prevent further economic oppression. We must resist any policy that prioritises corporate profits over the well-being of the people,” the communiqué added.
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