Telecom workers in Nigeria, under the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), have announced an indefinite strike to begin today, Monday, September 9, 2024. The decision comes after unresolved grievances, including unjust dismissals and poor working conditions.
Reasons for the Strike
The strike will involve essential personnel such as field maintenance engineers, transmission engineers, customer service engineers, and fibre engineers — key figures in maintaining telecom services nationwide. If left unaddressed, this industrial action could cause significant disruptions to telecom services across the country. PTECSSAN's demands include the right to unionise, proper pension deductions, adequate health insurance, and fair compensation that reflects the current economic realities. The union is also advocating for better working conditions, including strict adherence to occupational health and safety standards, regulation of 24-hour jobs, immediate stoppage of work overload, and enforcement of leave allowances.
Union's Demands
The demands also include the immediate provision of operational vehicles or alternatively, a review of self-drive/self-rental terms to meet the current economic reality. The union had issued a seven-day ultimatum to 39 telecom service companies to meet these demands or face the strike. Despite efforts to negotiate, PTECSSAN claims the employers have not taken their concerns seriously, leaving them no choice but to proceed with the strike as a last resort. Announcing the commencement of the strike, General Secretary of PTECSSAN Abdullahi Okonu said: “We have made every effort to engage with employers, but our legitimate demands have been disregarded. This strike is a last resort to protect our members’ rights and well-being. We urge the public to understand our position and support our struggle for fair treatment.”
History of Protests
This is the second time this year the union (PTECSSAN) is calling a strike, considering the indefinite strike announced earlier this year which was to start on April 4. The union said the decision was deemed necessary due to the relentless anti-labour practices against field engineers perpetrated by subcontractors. According to PTECSSAN, the subcontractors include Reime Group, All Streamenergy Solutions Limited, Uppercrest Limited, Tyllium Nigeria Limited, and Specific Tools and Techniques Limited, which are purportedly engaged in projects awarded by Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited. The telecom union said the grievances against these subcontractors include the appalling working conditions resembling modern-day slavery, a lack of entitlements commensurate with workers’ efforts, and the absence of adequate security measures, especially during late-night field assignments.
There are indications that the issues were only resolved on paper, considering the new call for an indefinite strike, and the similarity in issues and consequent demands by the telecom union. The public will need to adapt quickly to potential widespread telecom service disruptions in the near future.
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