As part of its mobilization against the planned 50 percent telecom tariff hike, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has resolved to hold a nationwide anti-telecom tariff hike protest Tuesday, February 4.<\/p>\n
Pointblanknews.com gathered that the nationwide protest was agreed on at the ongoing National Administrative Council, NAC of NLC<\/p>\n
It is aimed at sounding a note of warning to the government that workers would resist the planned hike as it would worsen the poverty level across the country.<\/p>\n
Recall that NLC had, on January 22, rejected the 50 percent telecommunication tariffs hike approved by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.<\/p>\n
According to NLC, the 50 percent tariffs hike approval, \u201cat a time 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement titled \u201c50% Telecom tariff hike: Another burden too harsh!\u201d NLC\u2019s President, Joe Ajaero, said: \u201cThe NLC expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government\u2019s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, of a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cTelecommunication 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 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 \u2014 a cost that is unsustainable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis hike exemplifies the government\u2019s apparent ease in prioritizing corporate profits over citizens\u2019 welfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is shocking that the government approved this 50 percent tariff increase for telecom companies within a month, yet took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage for workers, despite the rising cost of living and inflation eroding purchasing power.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis glaring disparity underscores a troubling reality. The government appears more aligned with the interests of wealthy corporations than with the needs of the workers and citizens it is meant to serve.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ask: \u2018when will the government stand for the people it swore to protect?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and hold the executive accountable for policies that blatantly undermine the welfare of the majority? When will the common man heave a sigh of relief in Nigeria?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call on the government, the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around the hike.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50 percent hike.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NLC calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a fight for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses. We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that government prioritizes the interests of its citizens over corporate interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of its mobilization against the planned 50 percent telecom tariff hike, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has resolved to hold a nationwide anti-telecom tariff hike protest Tuesday, February…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":116174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n