- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all workers to boycott the services of MTN, Airtel, and GLO, over the 50% percent telecommunications tariff hike.
This is coming hours after MTN sparked public outrage with the 200 percent increment in cost of it 15GB data plan from N2,000 to N6,000 despite the unresolved status of the 50% hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
As contained in a communique issued on Wednesday by its President, Joe Ajaero, NLC directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of the telecommunication operators daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 until the end of February 2025.
NLC also demanded for the repatriation of all funds allegedly siphoned out of the country by the companies while threatening total shutdown by March if the tariff is not reverted.
“All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of Data from these companies which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.
“We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies.
“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 statement said.
According to report, NLC directed all its State Councils to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
It also requested its Affiliate Unions to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.