NLC suspends plan to protest 50% increase in telecom tariffs

NLC suspends plan to protest 50% increase in telecom tariffs

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs.

This was the outcome of a meeting on Monday with the Federal Government representatives, with NLC President Joe Ajaero, saying the congress agreed to delay the protest planned for Tuesday (tomorrow) for two weeks.

A 10-member committee, consisting of five members from each side, was constituted to review the tariff hike and propose solutions to address the concerns of both telecom operators and consumers.

The delegation from the Federal government was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations in the office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, the meeting was aimed to maintain industrial harmony and to also protect the interest of Nigerians.

He disclosed that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, said that the purpose of the meeting was to look into the study carried out by the NCC which led to the 50 per cent increase in the telecommunications tariff.

“The summary of it is that Labour, 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,” he said.