The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has asked Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services across the country.
This is coming on the heels of the approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
Recall that the NCC, On Monday, approved a 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs. The approval came after a telcos’ agitation for cost-reflective prices in the face of harsh economic conditions.
This increase, which was below the 100 percent rise telcos asked for, pushed the average cost of calls to N16.5 per minute. This is against the former rate of N11. The cost data also rose from 1GB of data at N287.5/GB to N431.25. SMS prices rose to N6 from N4.
According to the Commission, the adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at after taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, condemned the tariff hike. He described it as an unjust burden on citizens already grappling with economic challenges.
The Labour leader, therefore, expressed concern over the timing of the hike. He expressed concern that the hike coincides with rising inflation and declining purchasing power among Nigerians.
Ajaero pointed out that telecom services have become a basic necessity to Nigerians. He noted that an average Nigerian worker spends approximately 10 percent of their income on telecom charges.
“This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare. And an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.
“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of their wages on telecom charges. For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month or 15 percent of his salary — a cost that is unsustainable.”
NLC President, therefore, urged Nigerians to reject the tariff hike. He urged them to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a mass boycott of telecommunication services. He stated that this is in a bid to compel a reversal of the increase.
“NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. We, therefore, call on the Government, the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike. And to allow a reasonable conversation around it. If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase. Definitely, not this 50 percent hike,” Ajaero stated.
source: BusinessDay
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