“NLC, TUC Reject Telecom Hike, Warn of Dire Consequences”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Federal Government’s sanctioning of a tariff increase for telecommunication services across the nation.
In the same vein, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) termed the impending tariff, which is set to commence next month, as excessive, expressing concerns that it will exacerbate the challenging living conditions faced by workers and Nigerians.
Likewise, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) opposed the hike, labeling it poorly timed and failing to take into account the struggles of distressed Nigerians.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) referred to the increase as “an unlawful, unconstitutional, and repressive measure that violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerians.” HURIWA also accused the Federal Government of further impoverishing citizens through a policy that suppresses freedom of expression and access to vitalcommunication services.
Earlier this week, the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) granted telecommunication companies permission to increase their tariffs by 50 percent.
This decision quickly sparked outrage from consumer advocacy groups, which deemed the government’s approval not only punitive but also insensitive.
NLC labels tariff hike as an affront to Nigerians’ welfare
The NLC is mobilizing Nigerians to oppose the 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs sanctioned by the Federal Government via the NCC. In a statement titled “50% Telecom tariff hike: Another burden too harsh,” made by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC stated:
“The NLC firmly denounces the Federal Government’s recent decision, facilitated by the Nigerian Communications Commission, to implement a 50 percent rise in telecom tariffs.

‘This action, arriving at a moment when Nigerian workers and the public are facing unparalleled economic distress, is a blatant attack on their well-being and indicates a neglect of the populace in favor of corporate elites.
“Telecommunications are vital for everyday communication, employment, and information access. However, an average worker in Nigeria already allocates around 10 percent of their earnings to telecom expenses.
‘For a worker earning the existing minimum wage of N70,000, this translates to a jump from N7,000 to an astounding N10,500 monthly or 15 percent of their income—the financial burden is untenable.
“This increase highlights the government’s troubling tendency to prioritize corporate profits over the well-being of its citizens. It is shocking that the government approved this 50 percent tariff hike for telecom firms within a month, yet it took almost a year to approve a recent minimum wage increase for workers, despite the escalating cost of living and inflation diminishing purchasing power.

“This evident imbalance points to a concerning truth. The government seems more in tune with the concerns of affluent corporations than with the needs of the workers and citizens it is supposed to serve.
“We must inquire: When will the government advocate for the populace it vowed to safeguard? When will the National Assembly fulfill its duty and hold the executive accountable for policies that clearly jeopardize the majority’s well-being? When will ordinary Nigerians experience relief?
“We urge the government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to halt the enactment of this misguided tariff hike to facilitate a meaningful discussion regarding it. If the dialogue leads to a consensus on the necessity of the increase, then we can all pursue a more considerate adjustment rather than this 50 percent hike.”

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