JUST-IN: NLC To Begin Nationwide Protest Feb 4 Over 50% Telecom Tariff Hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in response to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
The decision to proceed with the protest was made after an emergency meeting of the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) in Abuja on Wednesday. The union condemned the tariff hike, calling it “insensitive and unjustifiable” and argued that it adds an additional financial burden on Nigerian workers and the public, already grappling with inflation, rising food prices, electricity tariff hikes, and the impacts of the petrol subsidy removal.
The NLC had previously rejected the tariff increase, demanding its immediate suspension. The union expressed concern that Nigerian workers, with a minimum wage of ₦70,000, could not afford such an increase, which they described as a “direct assault” on the people.
In a statement signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the congress urged all its affiliates and state councils to begin mobilizing for the nationwide protest. The NLC also warned that if the government does not reverse the tariff hike, it may escalate its actions, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecom services and broader industrial action.
The statement reads: “The NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, to express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike. This is a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population.”
The NLC further called for an immediate suspension of the tariff hike, urging the Federal Government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue to review the tariff adjustment in light of the current economic realities in the country.
If these demands are not met, the NLC has threatened to escalate its actions, which may include a nationwide boycott of telecom services and further industrial actions.