The Nigeria Labour Congress Central Working Committee (NLC CWC) has directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.
It also directed that “If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.”
The NLC gave the directive in a communique signed by its National President and General Secretary, Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja respectively and demanded an immediate reversal of the 50 per cent tariff hike made by telecommunications companies which took effect from Wednesday.
In the communiques issued on Wednesday, the NLC CWV insisted that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
The communique which had a seven-point resolutions made from the meeting of the CWC which held in Lokoja on Tuesday also all workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of Data from these companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.
According to the communique: “We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies.”
The NLC which said the unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since government clearly favours the rich against the people, added that “all NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
“All NLC Affiliate Unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.”
The Labour called on all of its civil society allies and other interested stakeholders to join the action to make it effective, as it condemns the telecommunications companies for betraying trust, saying it was “an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institutions and a disdain for Nigerian people.”
The CWC acknowledges the need for fiscal reforms, but said the “Congress insists that any tax policies must be designed to alleviate the burdens on Nigerian workers and not worsen the existing economic hardship. The NLC shall engage with relevant authorities to ensure that tax reforms are fair, equitable, and worker-friendly.”
