* Congress says any further increase in tariffs will be met with strong resistance
* Directs affiliate unions to be on alert for mass action
*Accuses govt of transferring burden of economic crisis on struggling population
* Says whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant
By Michael Oche
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning against the planned increase in electricity tariffs, vowing to mobilize workers and citizens for a nationwide protest if the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Ministry of Power proceed with the proposed tariff hike.
The resolution was reached at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC, held in Yola, Adamawa State, where labour leaders condemned what they described as a “sham reclassification” of electricity consumers aimed at imposing higher charges on the masses.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the NLC accused the government of engaging in “economic violence” against Nigerian workers and the poor by continuously transferring the burden of the country’s economic crisis onto the already struggling population.
In the communiqué signed by NLC president, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress alleged that the reclassification of electricity consumers into higher tariff bands is a disguised strategy to impose excessive charges under the pretext of service improvement.
“The ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation,” the communiqué read.
The labour body also lamented that while inflation continues to soar and the cost of living remains unbearable, workers’ wages have remained stagnant. It vowed to resist any further increase in electricity tariffs, warning that such a move would be met with mass resistance.
“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses. NEC-in-session warns that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance.
“The Congress resolves to immediately mobilize for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise,” the NLC declared.
This latest move by the NLC signals a growing tension between organized labour and the government over economic policies perceived as unfavorable to the working class. The Congress has now mandated its National Administrative Council (NAC) to prepare for industrial action if its demands are ignored.
Our correspondent reports that this development could set the stage for a showdown between the NLC and the government, particularly as labour unions intensify their pushback against policies they argue are detrimental to the welfare of Nigerian workers and the poor.
Meanwhile, on the telecommunications tariff hike, the communiqué noted that NEC in session warned that should the implementation of the agreement reached with the Federal Government on March 1, 2025 fail, the National Administrative Council (NAC) is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance in line with the February 10th, 2025 Central Working Committee (CWC) directive.
It would be recalled that the NLC had reached an agreement with the Federal Government on February 21, 2025, between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which reduced the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.
“However, the Congress remains vigilant, recognizing the long history of infidelity. NEC categorically warns that should the implementation of the agreement on March 1, 2025 not be as agreed, the National Administrative Council (NAC) is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance in line with the February 10th, 2025 Central Working Committee (CWC) directive.,” the communique stated
