On Tuesday, February 4, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) decided to stage a statewide demonstration over the increase in telecom tariffs. The Nation discovered that at the current National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting of the NLC, a statewide protest was decided upon. It is intended to serve as a warning to the government that workers would oppose the proposed increase since it would increase the nation’s poverty rate.

According to the Nation, a 50% rate hike for mobile network operators was allowed by the NCC. Remember that on January 22, NLC rejected the 50 percent increase in telecommunications charges that the Federal Government, acting through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), had approved.

The NLC claims that the acceptance of the 50% tariff hike “is a direct assault on their welfare and a surrender of the people to corporate fat cats at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are coping with unprecedented economic hardship.”

“50% Telecom tariff hike: Another burden too hard!” is the title of the statement. Joe Ajaero, the president of the NLC, stated: “The NLC firmly condemns the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 50% rise in telecommunications charges through the Nigerian Communications Commission, or NCC.”This decision is an obvious attack on the welfare of Nigerian workers and the populace, who are already facing unprecedented economic hardship, and it represents the surrender of the people to corporate fat cats.For everyday communication, employment, and information access, telecommunication services are necessary. However, the typical Nigerian worker already spends about 10% of their income on telecom costs.

“A worker making the present minimum wage of N70,000 would have to pay an unsustainable increase from N7,000 to an astounding N10,500 a month, or 15% of his salary.”