The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) have rejected the 50 per cent telecommunications tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), describing it as insensitive.
They said it came at a time workers and the masses were grappling with unprecedented economic hardship.
While the NLC said it was a “clear assault on workers welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats”, the TUC called it “one hike too many”, while CNG called for an immediate reversal.
NLC, in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, acknowledged the importance of telecom services in the areas of work, and access to information.
It contended that on the average Nigerian spends around 10 per cent on accessing telecom services.
“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information.
“Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10per cent 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 15per cent of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable”.
