Boko Haram fight impacts 2015 May Day theme

The fight against Boko Haram in the Far North Region impacts the theme of the 129th edition of the International Labour Day commemoration in Cameroon.

The theme that was unveiled at a preparatory meeting on Tuesday, April 14, in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security chaired by the Secretary General, Scholastique Ngono is, “Building Cameroon’s Future in Peace, Solidarity and Decent Work.”

In her opening remarks, Ngono noted that the meeting was the third ahead of the Labour Day commemoration on May 1. She called on participants to bring up concrete proposals for the event to record a complete success in the country.

The meeting, which was marked by the presentation of reports by heads of sub-committees, also gave room for brainstorming and enrichment of proposals tabled by sub-committee members.

Activities earmarked ahead of the day included the national launching of commemorative activities in Njombe-Penja, Moungo Division of the Littoral Region by the Minister, Gregoire Owona, on April 24, 2015.

It was also disclosed that the event in Njombe-Penja will be marked by the award of labour medals to some meritorious workers of a company in the area.

Other activities expected to be replicated at the Regional and Divisional levels would include roundtable discussions, educative talks, sporting and cultural activities, and trade fairs, to be crowned by the grand match past of workers on May 1.

Meanwhile, in a document prepared by the communication and protocol sub-committee and distributed to the media, it is recalled that the International Labour Day was instituted following the 1886 Chicago, USA massacre of workers who were protesting long hours and dreadful conditions of work.

The day “has become an occasion for speeches, protests, parades and rallies by the workers… In Cameroon, the day is celebrated by organizing match pasts at ceremonial grounds in front of Government and trade union officials,” it is stated.

Justifying the theme of the commemoration in Cameroon, reference is made to the activities of Boko Haram that have perturbed peace in the Far North Region of the country, leading to severe hardship and insecurity there. This has prompted Cameroon to work in solidarity with other neighbouring countries that have been affected, such as Nigeria, Chad and Niger. Cameroonians have also demonstrated their solidarity by contributing to the war efforts to support the defence and security forces combating Boko-Haram.

On the need for decent work, it is said that it gives the workers the opportunity to engage in productive employment with adequate remuneration, under safe conditions at the workplace and social security for one’s family.