NLC drops planned strike over 50% telecom tariff hike
- Fed Govt, Labour raise 10-man panel to consider NCC’s study
The Federal Government and the organised labour last night set up a 10-man committee to study what led to the recent 50 per cent telecommunications tariff hike and proffer solutions.
This was the outcome of a meeting between both parties yesterday in Abuja.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) represented the organised labour at the meeting convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at his office.The meeting ended the planned protest by the organised labour to express displeasure over the 50 per cent tariff hike allegedly introduced without consultations with all stakeholders.
The 10-man committee, which will consist of five representatives from each side, is expected to submit its report in the next two weeks.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, said the protest had been put on hold until the committee submits its resolutions in two weeks.
“We have deliberated at length. The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the Nigerian Communjcaition Commission (NCC) that led them to arrive at this 50 per cent increase. Now, we are discussing this with organised labour, which has agreed that they will look at that study.
“Then, a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of government and labour in about two weeks.Related News
“So, the summary of it is that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the delegation of the Federal Government have set up a committee of five each. We’re going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks. 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 a final consideration.”
Answering a question on the planned protest, the minister said: “I think what has happened here has effectively taken out that position. Both of us have agreed and, in fact, it’s an attempt to put a stop to that which led us to make this meeting to happen today.
“So, this meeting has happened, but the organised labour, the NLC particularly, the government people, have sat down here and have agreed on this position. So, there won’t be any protest tomorrow by the Nigeria Labour Congress. There will be some form of report that will come up in about two weeks from now to consider the study and other considerations by both parties.”
Also, NLC President Joe Ajaero corroborated the minister’s statement. Ajaero said he was short of categorically stating the decision to shelf planned protest.
The NLC president expressed the displeasure of the organised labour over the recent hint of another tariff hike in the power sector and the administration’s tax regime, which he described as unbearable.
“We emphasised to them that the NLC is the largest organisation in the whole of Africa and there’s no consultation of stakeholders that does not include us that will stand. It was on that premise they agreed to have a larger committee to look at the entire tariff structure and module and to come up with a realistic and more inclusive agreement.
