Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is facing a potential shutdown as over 800 workers from the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association (PTECSSAN) have embarked on an indefinite strike. The union, which represents largely contract staff, has issued a stern warning that the strike will lead to massive disruptions in telecom services across the country if their demands are not met.
The strike, which began on Monday, is a result of a series of grievances, including the reinstatement of sacked union members, recognition of the PTECSSAN, improved working conditions, and the remittance of membership dues. The union has accused employers of disregarding their constitutional rights and subjecting workers to precarious working conditions.
The Punch reports that the PTECSSAN highlighted the “prevalent precarious working conditions” faced by their members, the “refusal of the employers to recognize and respect the constitutional right of these workers to freely associate with the union,” and the “unjust sack of three members of the union.”
The union’s Secretary-General, Okonu Abdullahi, has emphasized the critical role played by the 800 striking workers in managing critical infrastructure such as base stations for infrastructure companies like IHS, Huawei, and others. He warned that the strike would have far-reaching consequences, as the engineers responsible for addressing service outages would be withdrawing their services. This would inevitably lead to disruptions in telecom services for millions of subscribers across the country.
The striking workers include field maintenance engineers, transmission engineers, customer service engineers, fibre engineers, and other essential staff working for various telecom service companies. The companies implicated in the dispute include Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, Tylium Nigeria Limited, Specific Tools & Techniques, CPNL (Chinese Pacific Networks Limited), CITCC (China International Telecommunications Construction Corporation), and JUSPARTNER.
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While the major telecom operators like MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile own base stations and fibre infrastructure, they often outsource their management to servicing companies. These companies, in turn, may subcontract the work to smaller contractors, who employ the striking workers. This complex web of outsourcing has raised concerns about worker welfare and job security.
This is not the first time the PTECSSAN has embarked on a strike over similar issues. In April, a similar strike was averted following a reconciliatory meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour between the union and the telecom servicing companies. However, the union has expressed frustration with the companies’ failure to address the underlying issues, leading to the escalation of the current strike.
The Federal Government and the companies involved have so far failed to engage with the union on the current industrial action. The Punch further reports that despite repeated attempts to bring the parties to the negotiating table, the union’s demands have been ignored. If the situation remains unresolved, the PTECSSAN has warned of even more drastic measures.
The Ministry of Labour has acknowledged the workers’ concerns and assured that the government is committed to resolving the issues promptly. Princess Powei, the officer in charge of the telecoms sector at the ministry, has expressed confidence in a swift resolution. However, the union remains skeptical, citing the companies’ previous failures to address their grievances.
Meanwhile, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited has denied any involvement of its team members in the strike. A top Huawei official from China, identified only as Bruce, has stated that all employees are working in the office and have not received any notification about the strike. However, he acknowledged that field workers, who are not directly employed by Huawei but are part of subcontracting teams, may be impacted by the strike.
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The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has distanced itself from the dispute, claiming that the PTECSSAN is unknown to them and that the companies mentioned are not members of ALTON. The union has countered this claim, stating that they have made multiple attempts to engage with ALTON but have been met with indifference.
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has also expressed its lack of awareness regarding the strike. However, the association has emphasized the critical importance of protecting the telecom sector, which is considered a vital infrastructure for the country.
As the strike continues, the telecom sector faces an uncertain future. The potential for a nationwide communication blackout looms large, with millions of subscribers at risk of being disconnected. The resolution of this dispute will have far-reaching implications for the Nigerian economy and the well-being of its citizens.
