On the 9th of September, 2024, Nigeria’s Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association (PTECSSAN) commenced an indefinite strike following a week-long notice period. The strike was initiated due to the union’s grievances regarding frequent layoffs and poor working conditions affecting employees in about 39 companies that offer auxiliary services to Nigerian telecom operators.
The striking workforce includes various specialists such as field maintenance engineers, fibre engineers, customer service engineers, and transmission engineers. This industrial action was triggered when a subcontractor allegedly dismissed three union members.
PTECSSAN’s demands are multifaceted, including:
- Implementation of a fair pension scheme for its members.
- Provision of health insurance that covers employees and their dependents.
- Recognition of the union members’ fundamental rights.
- Acknowledgment of the union’s role in advocating for its members’ interests.
- Allocation of operational vehicles and equitable remuneration in response to the country’s economic volatility.
- Entitlement to leaves and work-related allowances.
The union insists that these demands are justified by their members’ commitment and long-standing service. General Secretary Abdullahi Okonu has declared that the strike will persist until their conditions are satisfactorily addressed. While PTECSSAN is appealing for public empathy, there is widespread concern that the strike may severely disrupt telecommunications services in Nigeria, potentially affecting data and voice communication.
This strike marks the second one for the year and the third instance in which PTECSSAN has brought these issues to the forefront over the past three years. Previously, in April 2024, PTECSSAN had announced an indefinite strike due to the alleged mistreatment of its members by subcontractors of Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, specifically naming Reime Group and Allstream Energy Solutions Ltd.
The strike that Innovation Village reported in April was suspended when Abdullahi announced that an agreement had been reached with the subcontractors. However, it seems that the service providers did not adhere to the agreed terms, leading to the current situation. Additionally, Nigerian telecom operators are facing their own set of challenges, with some contemplating a load-shedding strategy to sustain their services amidst economic difficulties and increasing financial burdens.
