Dozens of workers of Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) took to the streets Tuesday, November 12, to demand for several months of unpaid wages.
Waving placards and holding peace plants, the aggrieved workers voiced their frustrations with CDC’s management, led by General Manager Franklin Ngoni Njie, demanding immediate payment of salary arrears and calling for his resignation.
The workers lamented over months of unpaid wages, which they claimed have severely impacted their livelihoods.
“We are owed several arrears, although we have information that the money has been paid to the CDC account. We work and don’t receive payments, yet, our bosses, who sit in air-conditioned offices, forget about us,” said Richard, a protester.
“We want the General Manager, Franklin Njie, to step down, and before he does so, let him pay all our money.”
The protesters, originating from areas like Mondoni, Miselele, Tiko, Pendamboko, Muyuka, and Matouke, planned to march to CDC’s head office in Bota, Limbe.
Their goal was to bring their grievances directly to the management in hopes of immediate action.
“We are not stopping till they pay us that money. We are poor laborers who rely only on the meager salary given by the [CDC] Management,” said Denis Fobah, another worker.
“Going for several months without a salary means we cannot take care of our families. We are requesting the government to intervene in this matter before things get out of hand.”
CDC Calls for Calm
In response, CDC’s management released a communique acknowledging the workers’ grievances and urging calm while efforts are being made to address the issues.
The communique, signed by General Manager Franklin Ngoni Njie, stated,
“It has come to the knowledge of Management that workers in some Units of the Corporation refused to work and took to the streets this morning citing unpaid salary arrears and irregular payment of wages/salaries as their grievances. Management understands the demands of the workers and the difficulties they go through.”
The communique reassured workers that both the State and other stakeholders are aware of their pressing grievances and are committed to resolving it.
“As was mentioned in the Full Distribution Circular of 9th October 2024, Management is reassuring workers that the State and other stakeholders are very conscious of the need for the urgent treatment of this matter,” the statement read.
The CDC advised workers to avoid disruptions at a time when significant progress is reportedly being made.
Trade Union Leaders were invited for an emergency meeting with CDC’s management on the morning of November 12, during which immediate and long-term solutions to address the salary arrears were discussed.
The CDC asked workers to remain optimistic while it resolved the salary problem.
“In this regard, we are calling on the workers to stay calm, maintain an optimistic spirit, and exercise patience.”
Workers Unpacified
While management has made efforts to communicate its commitment to resolving the grievances, the protesting workers appear determined to continue their demonstration until they receive their overdue salaries.
On Wednesday, November 13, CDC workers again marched in the streets of Limbe, refusing to give up until they received their wages.
The situation highlights a critical juncture for CDC, as it balances addressing the workers’ demands with maintaining stability and productivity across its operations.
Management’s communique concludes with an appeal for calm: “We hereby reiterate the appeal to the entire workforce to remain calm and continue with their routine work.”
Handicapped by Armed Conflict
The Cameroon Development Corporation, a parastatal, was once Cameroon’s second largest employer after the state, employing about 15,700 workers.
But the corporation has seen decreased productivity since 2017, after armed separatists in the English-speaking Regions attacked its workers severally.
Unable to work safely, thousands of workers took involuntary leave. This severely hampered the CDC’s plantations, especially the banana sector.
General Manager Franklin Njie said the CDC has been recovering from the devastation of the Anglophone Crisis, but is yet to regain its pre-crisis capacity.
The company has been relying heavily on government subvention to operate, and has been unable to pay workers.
