The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed strong support for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), voicing concerns over impending increases in electricity tariffs and toll fees on select highways, as well as a proposed hike in telecom tariffs.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, made these statements during a press conference in Abuja following a meeting of the National Administrative Council. He urged the government to swiftly address the ongoing challenges posed by the devaluation of the Naira and high exchange rates affecting the economy.
At the press briefing, Osifo emphasized the importance of considering labor concerns to prevent industrial unrest. A recent meeting with the government and the NLC culminated in a Memorandum of Agreement that temporarily halted a planned nationwide protest regarding a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
The proposed telecom tariff adjustments include raising call costs from N12 to N18 per minute, SMS fees from N4 to N6, and data costs from N300 to N400 per gigabyte. Furthermore, plans for a 66% electricity tariff hike have also been met with criticism.
The TUC’s communique from the meeting condemned the government’s plans to introduce tollgates on poorly maintained federal roads. It characterized tolling on unpaved and dilapidated roads as an insult, calling for necessary repairs before any toll implementation can be considered.
Despite the government’s recent denials of plans to increase electricity tariffs by 65%, TUC officials expressed alarm at the initial proposal. Osifo noted that previous tariff hikes have already placed significant burdens on citizens.
He articulated that the proposed increases are ill-timed and reflect economic oppression, stating that Nigerians are already grappling with severe economic conditions. He pointed out that promised improvements in service quality following the previous hikes have yet to materialize, leaving many consumers in continued darkness.
The TUC highlighted that the devaluation of the Naira is the primary driver behind rising inflation and escalating prices for goods and services. Osifo recalled a previous statement from February 2024, where the TUC warned that unchecked devaluation would further inflame inflationary pressures, affecting all economic sectors and the social welfare of Nigerian workers.
With concerns escalating, Osifo cautioned that if government policies do not shift to support citizens, the TUC may be compelled to organize mass protests. The TUC is calling on the government to avoid further exacerbating the economic hardships faced by the populace, threatening mobilization of the working class and civil society if unjust policies continue to be enacted.
