The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has threatened to go on strike if the Federal Government does not rescind its recent approval for the 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariff.

The President of the TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, made this known during an interview. Following its National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting earlier in the day, the TUC condemned the proposed tariff hike, saying that it is not only ill-timed but also a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians.

Asked if the union will down tools and enter the streets if the federal government does not act on their demand for the reversal of the decision, Osifo said yes.

The TUC president advised the Federal Government to tackle the root cause of the problem which he said is forex management rather than the symptoms.

He acknowledged that the telecommunications companies are facing high costs of operations, but said that it would be better for them for the government to provide economic stability that will reduce the cost of operation instead of always looking to increase tariffs.

Reports say the proposed telecom tariff increase has raised dust among labour unions and civil society organisations. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had fixed a protest on Tuesday but suspended the action, following a talk with representatives of the Federal Government.

After extensive deliberation, both the NLC and the government  agreed to set up a 10-man committee comprising five members from both parties to review and submit its report within two weeks.