The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning against the proposed electricity tariff hike, calling it “economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace.
In a communique released after the National Executive Council (NEC) in Yola, Adamawa State, the union has vowed to mobilize nationwide protests if the Federal Government moves forward with the plan. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has condemned the hike, insisting that Nigerians should not pay for darkness.
According to its communiqué issued at the end of the NEC meeting and signed by NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the labor union stated: “NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses.
“This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace.It is evident that 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.”
“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.”
The NEC issued a warning against any further increases in electricity tariffs, stating that such a move would be met with mass resistance.It directed its National Administrative Council to commence immediate mobilization for protests, cautioning the government against underestimating the frustration of the Nigerian people.
Beyond electricity, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also raised concerns over the recent 35% increase in telecommunications tariffs. While acknowledging an agreement with the Federal Government to scale down the initial proposed hike from 50% to 35%, the union expressed skepticism about the government’s commitment to honoring the deal.
The union further cautioned that if the new telecom tariffs, scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2025, are implemented outside the agreed terms, it will take all necessary measures to ensure compliance.
The NLC urged all affiliates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to remain vigilant and ready to take decisive mass action against policies that undermine the welfare of Nigerians. The union reiterated its strong opposition to any tariff hikes and warned that any attempt by the government to proceed with such plans could lead to significant disruptions in the sector.
