Workers of the Cameroon Cotton Corporation, known by its French acronym CICAM, halted operations on Monday, July 8, to protest against 15 months of accumulated unpaid salaries.
Gathering in front of the company’s premises, the workers demanded the payment of their overdue wages, citing the need to support their families.
According to the protesters, they are bearing the consequences of the corporation’s poor management. “If we have decided to come here today in protest, it is because we are tired,” said one disgruntled worker, expressing that their patience and understanding had been exhausted.
This demonstration follows a similar strike in early April of this year, where workers were promised that their issues would be resolved by April 30. However, no solution has been provided, leaving the workers feeling helpless.
“We have had several meetings and they confirmed to us that things will be put under control, but until today, nothing has been done. Months have passed, and we are 15 months after with no change,” lamented another worker, adding, “we want the state to consider our grievance.”
Some protesting workers accuse the company of poor management and fear that the ongoing wage crisis will prevent them from sending their children to school. “The two Cameroonian directors we have had are the ones putting us in all of this. We are crying because schools will soon resume. In the last academic year, kids didn’t go to school. This year again, the same thing might happen,” another disgruntled worker told reporters.
The company’s management has remained silent on the grievances raised by its workers.
