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  • NLC threatens to shutdown MTN, Airtel, Glo operations nationwide

    NLC threatens to shutdown MTN, Airtel, Glo operations nationwide

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate reversal of the 50% telecommunications tariff hike and threatened to shutdown the operations of MTN, Airtel, and Glo if they refused.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC issued the threat and made this demand in a communique jointly signed with Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the NLC, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The communique was issued at the conclusion of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the NLC, held in Lokoja, Kogi State.

    It is important to recall that the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) had declared a one-day mass rally at all Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) offices across the country in response to the proposed 50 per cent tariff hike.

    The Federal Government and the NLC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which set up a 10-man committee to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back on the key concerns raised by the Congress.

    However, the telecom companies went ahead and implemented the new tariff hike.

    Ajaero condemned the action by the telecommunications companies, calling it a betrayal of trust.

    “It is an affront to the principles of negotiation, a direct slap on the government and its institutions, and a disdain for the Nigerian people,” he said.

    The CWC described the tariff hike as a further demonstration of regulatory capture and accusing the government of favouring the rich over the people.

    The CWC also called for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect that day.

    It insisted that the companies should revert to the previous tariff until the committee completed its deliberations and reached a conclusive agreement.

    As a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

    This boycott will start on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, and continue until the end of February 2025.

    Ajaero also urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of data from these companies, which he said had become tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.

    He demanded the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these telecom companies.

    He further warned that if the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide would commence on March 1, 2025.

    “All NLC state councils are directed to begin immediate sensitisation and mobilisation of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.

    “We also urge all NLC affiliate unions to mobilise their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours,” he added.

  • Telecoms union lauds NLC for suspending protest

    Telecoms union lauds NLC for suspending protest

    The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has described as commendable,  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) decision to suspend its Tuesday’s planned protest over approved 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs.

    The association’s Secretary-General, Mr Abdullahi Okonu, told NAN in Lagos State that the union, as a major stakeholder, was knowledgeable about  issues in the sector.

    Okonu said that the cost of resources needed to make telecommunications services available to the masses had increased.

    “The only logical thing is for government to allow us to increase the tariff in order to meet up with the cost of running business and, at the same time, make profits,” he said.

    The secretary-general also said that the increase was needed  to prevent collapse of the telecommunications sector and save jobs.

    “We do not want a situation where workers in the private telecommunications sector will lose their jobs.

    “Where  companies are struggling to meet up with running costs, of course, the first thing they will look at is how to reduce their overhead costs by sacking workers, which we do not want.

    “Our members should be protected and their jobs should be protected.

    “Also, if the telecommunications sector is allowed to collapse, definitely, it will have a negative impact on other sectors,” he said.

    The Chairman of NLC, Lagos  State Council, Mrs Funmi Sessi, told NAN  that the council had already mobilised its members for the protest, but had to suspend it following a meeting between NLC and the Federal Government.

    Sessi called  on the committee set up  following the meeting to come up with reasonable reduction from the 50 per cent increase.

    “We appeal to the government to alleviate the financial burden of Nigerians,” she said.

    NLC had suspended its planned nationwide protest against 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs after the meeting a Federal Government representatives.

    It agreed to negotiate with the Federal Government and resolve the dispute within two weeks.

  • NLC suspends protest as FG set to review 50% telecom tariffs hike

    NLC suspends protest as FG set to review 50% telecom tariffs hike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended the nationwide mass rally scheduled for today Tuesday over the 50% hike on telecom services approved by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero made this known on Monday night after the federal government met with labour union leaders with a view to reaching a common ground on the recent 50% increment on telecom tariffs by the NCC.

    Recall NCC recently released a statement saying it had acceded to the requests of mobile network operators to hike tariffs by a maximal increment of 50% adjustments for calls, data and others in response to prevailing operational costs.

    Not okay with the development, NLC declared plans to embark on a nationwide mass rally on February 4. However, the FG met with the labour union on Monday with a view to reaching a common ground.

    The meeting it was learnt was at the behest of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume and was aimed to maintain industrial harmony and to also protect the interest of Nigerians.

    After extensive deliberation, the FG and NLC agreed to set up a 10-man committee comprising five members from the government and five from the labour union to review the study by the NCC and submit its report within two weeks.

    Comrade Ajaero after the meeting said that the union will wait till the outcome of the committee to determine its next line of action.

    Speaking on behalf of the FG, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the purpose of the meeting was to look into the study carried out by the NCC, which led to the 50% increment on telecoms tariffs.

    “So, the summary of it is that Labour and the Nigerian Labour Congress specifically and the delegation of the federal government have set up a committee of five each. We are going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks.

    “And at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that we will give to government and the organised Labour for final consideration,” Idris said.

    Present at the meeting were Minister Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.

    Others are the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

  • NLC gives deadline for defaulting States to pay new minimum wage

    NLC gives deadline for defaulting States to pay new minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said that stringent measures are in place to ensure that states and employers implement the national minimum wage and the consequential adjustment before the end of March.

    Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, President Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said this at its one day National Leadership Retreat organised for the union’s National Administrative Committee Members on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The theme of the retreat was, ” Leadership Challenges amongst Activists”.

    Ibrahim, who is also the National zinternal Auditor of the NLC, said that the measures were imperative due to the continuous delay by states and institutions to manipulate wage payments.

    According to him, one of the issues in the implementation of the minimum wage is that of insincerity.

    “The national minimum wage has been signed into law, and payments should have commenced nationwide.

    “But in most institutions and states, what they did was just to award a certain amount or a figure they are merely using to play with the intelligence of workers as minimum wage.

    “But I am happy that the NLC is not sleeping on this matter and we have been engaging.

    “But going forward, I can assure you that we are taking very stringent measures to ensure that between now and the end of this first quarter, that the minimum wage and consequential adjustment will be implemented.

    “Any state or employer of labour that refuses to implement the national minimum wage and the adjustment in workers’ salaries accordingly will face the consequences.

    “The labour laws are there and we have all that it takes to enforce our rights against those employers,” he said.

    Ibrahim, while speaking on the theme of the retreat, said that some members sabotaged strike actions, weakening the effectiveness of industrial actions.

    “Unfortunately, some of our own members work against our collective struggle. They engage in blackmail and underhand dealings to derail strike actions.

    “But this is not unique to SSANU; it happens in every sector. Part of why we are holding this retreat is to educate our members on the importance of unity and discipline within the union,” he said.

    Ibrahim also admitted that industrial actions had lost their effectiveness due to government indifference and worker fatigue.

    He noted that while strikes remained a last resort, the union would explore alternative negotiation strategies.

    He emphasised the need for continuous training of university staff and better funding of tertiary institutions.

    The SSANU president, however, said that universities must remain the centers of learning and innovation, requiring continuous capacity building for staff.

    “As leaders of this great union, we must ensure that our national executives are equipped with the latest global trends.

    ”SSANU is an affiliate of NLC, and we have benefited from international training programmes. It is important that we bring this knowledge back home and share it at all levels,” he said.

    Those present at the retreat include the former NLC President Ayuba Wabba, former SSANU President Chief Promise Adeusi, and the Director-General of the Institute of Mentoring and Coaching, Mr Rotimi Mathew.

  • NLC declares nationwide protest over tariff hike

    NLC declares nationwide protest over tariff hike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday declared that its members would commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, February 4, against the proposed 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the organized labour threat followed the announcement by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 20, 2025, that it gave the approval for telecom operators to raise tariffs by 50 per cent.

    It would be recall that NLC, on January 22, rejected the 50 per cent increase in telecommunication tariffs, arguing that approving such a significant tariff hike while Nigerian workers are facing extraordinary economic challenges is a blatant attack on their well-being and a neglect of the people in favour of corporate interests.

    In a statement titled “50% Telecom tariff hike: Another burden too harsh’, NLC’s President, Joe Ajaero, said: “The NLC expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, of a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs.

    “This 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.

    “Telecommunication 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.

    “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 15 percent of his salary — a cost that is unsustainable.

    “This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritizing corporate profits over citizens’ welfare.

  • Tariffs hike: Telecom subscribers association dissociates from NLC’s proposed protest

    Tariffs hike: Telecom subscribers association dissociates from NLC’s proposed protest

    The National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers (NATCOMS) on Thursday disassociated itself from the industrial action being planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest telecoms tariff hike.

    The President, NATCOMS, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the protest was uncalled for, as it would send wrong signals to investors.

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory body had on Monday released a statement saying it had acceded to the requests of operators to hike tariffs.

    The NCC said it had approved a maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments in response to prevailing operational costs.

    This resulted in NATCOMS and the NLC condemning the hike, saying the approved percentage was too prohibitive.

    The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, had condemned the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike by the Federal Government.

    Ajaero urged the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of the tariff hike to allow for a reasonable conversation around it.

    He said that if the dialogue agreed on the need for the hike, a more humane increase could be sought, but not 50 per cent.

    The NLC president, therefore, called on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject the tariff hike while urging citizens to prepare for collective action.

    He said that this action included the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of the punitive increase.

    “This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people. The NLC 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.

    “Together, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that government prioritises the interests of its citizens over corporate interests,” Ajaero said.

    Meanwhile, Ogunbanjo, the NATCOMS President said that the civil way to go about ensuring reversal of the tariff hike was to go to court, if all negotiation and consultations prove unsatisfactory.

    According to him, this is the path that the NATCOMS has decided to tread if all negotiations fall on deaf ears.

    “We do not support the Nigerian Labour Congress’ call for an industrial action. No, we don’t! NATCOMS is not in support.

    “To investors and businesses, it is a wrong signal. Negotiation is still ongoing and the tariff hike is in February and we still have eight days.

    “We (NATCOMS) are meeting with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to engage them, to convince them, and we will be consulting with NCC tomorrow to map a way forward,’’ he said.

    According to him, it is after negotiations and consultations have failed that NATCOMS will head to court.

    NCC, the industry’s regulatory body had justified the maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments by saying it was in response to prevailing operational costs. It said that this was less than the 100 per cent demanded by some telecoms operators.

    Its decision, the NCC said, is pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

    The NCC said that, while recognising the concerns of the public, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

    “The NCC has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecoms consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem.

    “The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments.

    “To this end, the commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers.

    It said that these adjustments would support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity.

    The NCC added that consumers would benefit from better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage within the country.

  • NECA raises alarm over expatriates working in Nigeria without permits

    NECA raises alarm over expatriates working in Nigeria without permits

    Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde has expressed worry at the high percentage of expatriates who lacked work permit but are doing jobs that could be handled by Nigerians.

    Oyerinde expressed the worry  in an interview on Monday in Lagos while reacting to a recent report quoting the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as saying  that 90 per cent of expatriates doing jobs meant for Nigerians lacked proper work permits.

    He said that the percentage highlighted by the minister was not only worrisome but posed a security risk. Oyerinde said that it was expected that structures and frameworks to safeguard local jobs should be thoroughly implemented. According to him, such structures and frameworks would prevent foreigners from doing jobs that should be taken up by Nigerians.

    “This comment by the honourable minister affirms the huge job facing the ministry, as there is need for urgent reversal of this trend. While expatriates with legal work permits should be protected and given necessary guarantees, those without work permits should be made to either regularise their papers or guided out of the country,“ he told NAN in the interview.

    Reacting also, Mr Eustace James, Senior Assistant General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said that the labour centre advocated  protection of human and labour rights of migrant workers and their families.

    “Whether called expatriates or migrant workers, they have rights, and  government must pursue providing legal pathways for them to become documented. We must advocate protection of Nigerians working outside Nigeria and non-Nigerians working in Nigeria, “ he said.

    The labour leader also called on government agencies to ensure effective enforcement and implementation of laws and policies regulating migration and labour migration. James said that any sharp practices by personnel of any border management agency leading to expatriates working in Nigeria without permits should be addressed.

  • NLC demands payment of minimum wage to Lagos media workers

    NLC demands payment of minimum wage to Lagos media workers

    The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that workers of  the state-owned broadcast stations are entitled to the new minimum wage and should be paid  the wage.

    The  Chairman of the chapter, Mrs Funmi Sessi, made the assertion during a protest by the workers, on Monday in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the protest was by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and those of  Radio,  Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) in Lagos State media organisations.

    They protested non-payment of the new minimum wage as well as exclusion from the state’s Oracle payment system.

    Both unions had vowed to halt operations of the media organisations – Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM and Traffic Radio, from Jan. 13, to drive home their demands.

    Sessi, while addressing the workers, said: “You are workers of the state government, your letter of employment reads so, and you are entitled to the new minimum wage by the law of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “You should not be paid less.”

    The NLC chairman said that the protesting workers were discharging  their duties to the best of their abilities,  disseminating  information about the activities of the state government and  doing more.

    “However, they are the ones not receiving the new minimum wage, which has been approved by the government.

    “This is injustice to these workers,” she said.

    Sessi appealed to the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene, describing him  as full of  empathy.

    “Mr governor, we are not targeting your administration, but these workers have come out to say that their management has not done the needful.

    “This government is doing well; It is a whole new government and administration that is maintaining a very cordial relationship with workers.

    “However, it will not be good for some workers in the state not to enjoy the benefits that others are enjoying.

    “This is why we are out and calling on our good governor; these workers are demanding and asking that they should be included in the state’s Oracle payment system.”

  • NLC told to sensitise members on tax reform bill

    NLC told to sensitise members on tax reform bill

    A Professor of Accounting and Financial Development, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to ensure its members understand the basics of the Tax Reform Bill.

    Oyedokun, who lectures at Lead City University, Ibadan, gave the advice at a Dialogue on the “Tax Reform Bill” organised by NLC on Saturday.

    He said that being knowledgeable would aid effective advocacy and robust discussion on issues surrounding the bill.

    “They should peruse the bill so that when they want to talk to the government, they will talk from the position of knowledge that they are known for.

    “Certain provisions of this have been construed out there; and if you have better information about it, you will change your perspective and position at times.

    “Take for example, I can say that today about 95 per cent of people that are commenting on these tax bills have never opened one page of the bill.

    “What people rely on is the kinds of social media messages that people are sending here and there,” he said.

    The professor said that certain parts of the bill were meant to improve the lives of workers, urging NLC to set up a team that would investigate the personal income tax rates.

    According to him, the rate being proposed in the bill is better than what is currently being used.

    “So, I charge NLC to go back to their drawing board, put the correct team together to check this as it affects workers,” he said.

    Oyedokun advised NLC to ensure activism for their demand was peaceful and didn’t delay the passage of the bill.

    Earlier, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged the government to dialogue with the union on the tax reform bill, to enable his members to make their inputs.

    Ajaero said that some aspects of the tax reform bill needed clarifications from the government for better understanding.

    “I will implore everybody to read and understand what is embedded in the tax reform bill, I think it is all over the internet now on Google and social media.

    “As a matter of fact, the government did not include NLC in the dialogue of the bill,” he said.

    Ajaero also appealed to the public to go through the tax reform bill to prevent misinterpretation which could trigger misinformation.

  • Prioritise social dialogue in 2025 – NLC urges FG

    Prioritise social dialogue in 2025 – NLC urges FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise social dialogue in 2025.

    The NLC president, Mr Joe Ajaero, made the call in a New Year message released on Wednesday in Abuja.

    His message was entitled: ” In 2025, Hope is our Collective Resolve.”

    Ajaero urged the Federal Government to prioritise industrial peace by taking social dialogue seriously and respecting agreements with trade unions.

    He described trade unions as pan-people organisations and committed partner in progress for the development of the country.

    Ajaero also called on government at all levels to ensure that governance translated into real benefits for the people.

    He said that the welfare of the citizens remained the primary justification for the existence of any government.

    “To create a thriving, democratic nation, we need a system built on the tenets of social dialogue, allowing critical stakeholders to participate actively in nation-building.

    “Such inclusiveness will foster deeper ownership of government policies, ensuring stability and sustainability,” he said.

    The NLC president insisted that government at all levels must comply with the provisions of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

    According to him, the country will become more productive when the incomes of workers are able to meet their basic needs.

    “In this, we believe there ought to be unanimity between us and government at various levels. We look forward to fruitful engagement on this with our social partners as we move into 2025.

    “Let us unite in our resolve to ensure a Nigeria where workers’ welfare, decent work environments, and the security of life and property are prioritised.

    “Together, through collective effort and determination, we can transform our nation into one of progress, inclusion and shared prosperity,”he said.