Calls, SMS, data may be affected in Nigeria as telecom union workers announce indefinite strike

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.

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.
• Immediate provision of Operational Vehicles or in the alternative immediate negotiation on review of the Self Drive/Self Rental to meet the economic reality in the country today.

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.

PTECSSAN has appealed to the public for patience during this period and emphasised that they remain open to dialogue with employers and the government to reach a swift resolution.

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.”

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.

Then, 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.

The union stated, “These workers are working like slaves in their own country with no entitlements commensurate with their efforts paid to them.

“They are made to work without work hours and risk their lives going to the field in the wee hours of the night without adequate security provided for them.”

It added that “All efforts by the union and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to resolve the union’s and its members’ concerns proved abortive as the companies failed to make themselves available for conciliatory meetings.

“In light of this, the union’s leadership directed its members to commence an indefinite strike action effective April 4, 2024. We implore Nigerians to bear with us during the period of the strike action and any attendant discomfort it may bring to them.”

It, however, suspended that strike. In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Okonu Abdullahi, the union said the suspension was a result of agreements reached with the subcontractors it had issues with.

The union said: “PTECSSAN threatened an industrial action effective April 4, 2024, against the undersigned subcontractors to address concerns of her members.

“This led to a meeting at the union’s secretariat, and the following agreements were reached, including companies recognising the fundamental rights of the employees to freely associate with the union.

“That the companies shall put in place health facilities by the National Health Insurance Scheme, covering the employees, their spouses, and four of their dependents, among others.”

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.