KEY POINTS
- The Federal Government holds discussions with NLC today while trying to stop the February 4 national demonstration.
- The NLC opposes the NCC telecom rate hike policies along with the N8 billion electricity publicity costs.
- Labor union leaders refuse to participate in any decrease of strike intensity even during government dialogue sessions.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders remain at a crucial meeting with the Federal Government on today to stop the planned nationwide protest against the telecom fees increasing by 50 percent.
The 5 p.m. meeting will tackle the N8 billion budget for electricity bill sensitization that the NLC deems unproductive.
The discussions to resolve the telecom tariff increase dispute will be led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) as per government sources in their effort to dissuade NLC and its allied parties from protesting.
Organized labour conducts workforce activation efforts
The NLC increased its workers’ mobilization through direct orders to its state councils and affiliated unions to organize civil society groups for countrywide protests despite the future meeting.
Demonstration activities will start at 7 a.m. from state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory to reach both Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) offices and state assemblies.
The National Labour Congress asserts refusal to accept the proposed 50 percent telecommunications service fee increase because this measure intensifies Nigeria’s economic challenges.
According to the union, it directs its workforce to maintain opposition against employee-harming policies that give advantages to business entities.
