President Paul Biya has approved a 5 percent increase in the basic salaries of civil servants and military personnel in Cameroon.
The salary increment, announced on Wednesday, February 21, follows the government’s recent increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by up to 15 percent.
The fuel price hike, which has also caused a concurrent rise in urban and inter-urban transport fares, was the second price adjustment in 12 months.
Additionally, President Biya has heightened family allowances for each child dependent on a civil servant to 4,500 FCFA.
This move is anticipated to offer additional financial support to families within the civil service.
While President Biya’s decision reflects a commitment to addressing the economic concerns of those directly employed by the State, private sector employees are also looking forward to an increase in the minimum wage.
These increments come at a time when the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, is engaged in discussions with private-sector employers.
The goal is to establish an agreement on the minimum wage for workers in the private sector, considering the challenging cost of living in the country.
As of now, the minimum wage for private sector workers stands at 41,875 FCFA. This figure was increased a year ago from 36,270 FCFA in reaction to an increase in fuel prices.
The ongoing discussions underscore the government’s recognition of the economic pressures faced by workers in both the public and private sectors.
Cost of living in Cameroon has spiralled since February 2022, when Russia’s war on Ukraine caused a global food scarcity and inflation.
