Cameroon trade unions reject Government’s 41k minimum wage proposal

The confederation of Cameroon trade unions, known by its French acronym CATCH, has rejected the minimum wage of 41,875 francs CFA proposed by the government earlier this month for private sector workers.

In a recent release, which MMI came across, the trade unions said they have forwarded their minimum wage proposals to the Prime Minister, after deliberating at the 24th session of the National Labor Advisory Commission, which aimed to upgrade the minimum wage in the country.

“After six (06) hours of intense debate within the Commission, focusing on the unsustainability of a minimum wage of sixty thousand (60,000) francs by the State and certain employers’ organizations, the members made consensual proposals to transmit to the Prime Minister for a stratified SMIG,” the release stated.

On February 8, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, announced that 41,875 francs had been officially adopted as minimum wage for private sector workers in Cameroon.

Meanwhile, in proposals forwarded to the PM, the trade unions opted for a minimum wage of 41,875 francs for State employees who are subject to the Labor Code, 45,000 francs for workers of the agricultural sector, and 60,000 francs for workers of other sectors.

In this light, they called on Cameroonians to shun disinformation, remain vigilant, calm and patient, “…while waiting for the decree of the Prime Minister, Head of Government focusing on the SMIG in Cameroon based on the proposals.”

By Amina Hilda