A major rift has emerged between Nigerian telecom workers and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recently approved 50% increase in telecom tariffs, with the industry union rejecting the NLC’s planned nationwide protest and warning of a looming crisis in the telecom sector.
The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), representing workers in the sector, has strongly opposed the February 7 protest, arguing that while the tariff hike is painful, it is a necessary step to prevent the industry’s collapse.
In a letter addressed to the NLC leadership on Friday, PTECSSAN accused the labour body of failing to consult them before declaring the protest, despite the telecom sector being directly affected. The union painted a grim picture of the economic pressures threatening the survival of telecom operators, warning that failure to adjust tariffs could lead to service disruptions, job losses, and a breakdown in essential communication infrastructure.
