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NLC has directed its members and Nigerians to boycott telecommunications services in protest of a 50% tariff hike.
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The boycott, scheduled to take place daily from 11 am to 2 pm until the end of February 2025.
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This is in response to the implementation of the tariff hike by mobile network operators despite an agreement with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members and Nigerians to boycott telecommunications services from today, February 13, 2025, in protest of a 50% tariff hike implemented by mobile network operators.
The boycott is expected to take place daily from 11 am to 2 pm until the end of February 2025.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, gave this directive in a jointly signed communique, stating that the boycott is in response to the implementation of the tariff hike despite an agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission to set up a 10-man committee for adequate negotiations on the matter.
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“The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 percent tariff hike today (Tuesday), despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“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.”the NLC said in a statement.
The NLC described the insistence on the 50% telecom tariff hike by telcos as a demonstration of “regulatory capture.”
The union demanded an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and insisted that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
READ ALSO: NLC Suspends Planned Protest as FG Agrees to Review Telecom Tariff Structure
“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,” the NLC said.
The Nigerian Communications Commission had approved the 50% telecom tariff hike on January 20, 2025, which took effect on Tuesday.
The NLC had suspended its planned nationwide protest on February 4, 2025, after an 11th-hour meeting with the Federal Government.
Telecom Operators Warn NLC Against Planned Protest
Telecom operators in Nigeria have issued a strong warning to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), urging the union to reconsider its planned nationwide protest on February 4.
The operators claim that the protest could have a devastating impact on the already struggling telecom sector.