Did gov’t bribe transporters’ unions to call off strike?

There are allegations all over Yaounde that close to 20 trade union leaders operating in the transport sector have received FCFA 15 million from the government to call off a nationwide strike action that was planned to take off on July 7.

The strike action was announced a few days after the increase in fuel prices. The documented petition for this planned action was signed by 15 trade unions. However, this coincided with the intense period when there were threats of social unrest stemming from increase in hydrocarbons products.

The Post gathered that, sensing danger from the various outbursts and impending strike actions, the government allegedly cornered the union leaders and dashed Yaounde syndicates FCFA 10 million and FCFA 5 million for those in Douala, in an attempt to bribe them out of their intended strike action.

One of the leaders, who pleaded that his identity should be concealed claimed he did not partake in this act. He further explained that the union leaders were received in secret by some top Government officials and noted that, immediately after the meeting, some of them (union leaders) came out to condemn the act.

When The Post,contacted the President of the National Trade Union of Drivers and Workers of Urban and Inter-Urban Transport of Cameroon (SYNCHOUTUICAM) he refused to comment on the allegations concerning the FCFA 15 million bribe. He, however, acknowledged the fact that some union leaders were received behind closed doors by some Government representatives.

He argued that syndicates of the transport sector have not yet sent out any document calling for a strike because of increase in fuel prices. He said they are giving Government time to see how far the announced accompanying measures will cater for the plight of the transporters before further steps would be taken.

According to Tchoumi, the intention of the July 7 strike that never materialized, was to protest against the freedom with which unauthorised transporters are competing with regularly registered professionals in the sector. Citing police and military officers as well as administrative authorities as being deeply involved in illegal transportation issues.

They had also called for new constituencies of urban zones in the growing cities in order to make a clear demarcation of delimited areas for township taxis and sub-urban transporters.

The leaders were also complaining of the long deadline in the acquisition of transport documents; and the growing insecurity in township taxis. They had also called on Cameroonians to express their anger for 72-hours over what they termed as the humiliation of the people by the Indomitable Lions at the just ended World Cup in Brazil.

The leaders had also requested that driving licences be issued for free to bike riders, cut out the tax obligation from them. They also called for due consideration to be given to bike riders by other road users, taking into account the important role they are playing in society.

Meanwhile, Tchoumi disclosed to The Post that his union were seriously against a call urging Government to remove ‘routiers’ from the road because of their for act of bribery.

The SYNCHOUTUICAM President also noted that, as a member of the price committee at the National Hydrocarbons Price Stabilisation Fund, he was not surprised by the increase in fuel prices. He said since 2006 when the committee started meeting, he has all along been preparing the minds of his members on the eventual increase remarking that if the subvention is completely uplifted, Cameroonians will pay FCFA 825 for a litre of petrol.

He also talked of plans to push Government to officially institute the giving of subventions to trade unions as provided for by the law as well as the handing over to unions the control of motor parks. He said if they are effectively given the control and management of motor parks, they will use such venues to educate drivers and other workers in the public transport sector on the code of conduct governing the sector.