Workers in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, under the aegis of the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN), have begun an indefinite nationwide strike today, protesting mass layoffs, poor working conditions, and other grievances.
The strike, which involves critical employees such as field maintenance engineers, transmission engineers, customer service engineers, and fiber engineers, raises fears of potential disruptions to telecommunications services nationwide.
PTECSSAN has ongoing disputes with 39 telecoms servicing companies, including Specific Tools & Technology Limited, which recently sacked three union members. These companies provide essential support services to major telecommunications operators in the country.
The union had earlier issued a seven-day strike notice to the affected companies to address its demands, which went unheeded.
The union’s demands include immediate recognition of the right of employees to freely associate with the union and the union’s recognition as a negotiating body for workers’ welfare.
PTECSSAN is also calling for the prompt remittance of membership dues, recognition of workers’ years of service, commencement of pension deductions as required by law, and approval of a National Health Insurance Scheme covering employees and their families.
Additional demands include enrollment in a Group Life Insurance plan, adherence to international best practices on leave and leave allowances, a salary review in line with current economic realities, and provision of operational vehicles or a review of existing vehicle arrangements.
The union is also pushing for regulated work hours, an end to 24-hour job shifts, elimination of work overload, and strict adherence to occupational health and safety standards.
The union is appealing to the public for understanding during the strike and has pledged to continue negotiations with employers and the government to resolve the issues, but insists that the strike will persist until their demands are met.
