A nationwide strike by workers in the telecom sector has threatened to disrupt services across Nigeria. The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association (PTECSSAN) has embarked on the strike to demand better working conditions, union recognition, and the reinstatement of sacked members.
The union’s members, who are primarily contract staff working for infrastructure companies like IHS, Huawei, and others, play a critical role in managing base stations and ensuring the smooth functioning of telecom networks. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on subscribers, as service outages may occur due to the workers’ refusal to respond to emergency calls.
The affected companies include major players in the telecom industry, such as Huawei, Tylium, Specific Tools & Techniques, CPNL, CITCC, and JUSPARTNER. While MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile own base stations and fibre infrastructure, they often outsource management to these servicing companies, which employ the striking workers.
The telecom union has previously engaged in similar strikes to highlight the precarious working conditions faced by its members. Despite previous interventions by the Ministry of Labour, the underlying issues have not been fully resolved, leading to the escalation of the current strike.
The government has acknowledged the workers’ concerns and has assured that it is committed to finding a solution to the dispute. However, the ongoing strike poses a significant threat to the stability of Nigeria’s telecom sector, which is essential for economic development and communication.
