The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has strongly condemned the recent 50% tariff hike by telecommunications companies, demanding an immediate reversal to prevent severe economic hardship.
Despite reaching an agreement with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, telecom operators have effected a jerk up, sparking outrage among workers and consumers.
NLC has now given a March 1 deadline, warning that a total shutdown of telecom operations will commence if the tariff is not rolled back.
To resist the hike, NLC has directed workers and the general public to take decisive action. From Thursday, February 13, telecom users are urged to boycott MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM until the end of the month; suspend data purchases from these companies; mobilize and create awareness through NLC state councils and affiliate unions; the Congress emphasized that these measures are necessary to pressure telecom firms into reconsidering the price hike.
Beyond the tariff hike, NLC criticized the government for failing to shield Nigerians from corporate exploitation. The Congress stressed that economic policies should prioritize the welfare of citizens rather than favoring businesses at their expense.
In a separate development, NLC reviewed the Tax Reform Bills, warning against policies that could further strain Nigerian workers. While acknowledging the need for fiscal adjustments, the Congress vowed to advocate for fair and worker-friendly tax policies.
If telecom operators fail to reverse the tariff hike by February 29, NLC will lead a full-scale nationwide telecom shutdown starting March 1. The Congress has called on civil society organizations and all Nigerians to join the resistance against exploitative economic policies, urging collective action to protect consumers.
Credible News reports that MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, has started increasing data plan prices following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s recent approval of a 50% tariff hike. The adjustment is being rolled out gradually.
There are significant price hikes across various data bundles. The popular 1.5GB monthly plan, previously N1,000, has been replaced by a 1.8GB plan at N1,500.
Other notable increases include:
15GB plan – now N6,500 (up from N4,500)
20GB plan – now N7,500 (up from N5,500)
600GB 90-day plan – now N120,000 (up from N75,000)
1.5TB 90-day plan – now 240,000 (up from N150,000)
Despite the adjustments in data pricing, call and SMS rates remain unchanged for now.
The NCC cited rising operational costs and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector as reasons for approving the tariff hike. The regulatory body emphasized that the decision aligns with its mandate under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, NATCOMS, has rejected the tariff increase and is threatening legal action. The group insists that a 10% adjustment would be more reasonable and is calling for an immediate review of the hike.
Crediblenewsng.com
