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NLC suspends planned nationwide strike against telecom tariff hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has suspended its planned nationwide strike against the telecommunications tariff hike.

The union frowned at the recent 50% hike in telecom tariffs approved by the federal government, which the Labour said, was outrageous and unbearable by Nigerians.

The union threatened a protest, if the Federal Government would not reverse the increase and went ahead to slate Tuesday 4th February as date for the protest across the country.
The Federal Government however, frantically met the union to broker peace in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night, which the union temporarily suspend the planned strike to pave way for further discussions.
After the meeting, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero revealed that a Committee of five representatives from Labour and Government have been set up to resolve the matter within two weeks.
“We emphasized that the NLC is the largest organisation in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand.
“On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive agreement to look at the entire tariff structure as a model to come out with a realistic and all-inclusive agreement.
“So the committee will be made up of five representatives, from both sides and expected to come out with a result after two weeks.
“That will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement. The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow will be put on hold until the outcome of such a committee.
“The outcome of such a committee is what will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, and in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues we put online.”
He added that the union’s next steps, including protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals, would depend on the outcome of the committee’s work.
While the planned symbolic submission of protest letters has been put on hold, Ajaero noted that the NLC remained concerned about other pressing economic issues, including electricity tariffs and burdensome taxes on workers.
“We have also expressed our displeasure over the high electricity tariff and the unbearable tax regime, which is killing workers. These remain unresolved issues that must be addressed,” he said.
