Second consultative meeting on Social Dialogue held in Yaounde

The second consultative meeting on Social Dialogue has held in Yaounde under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona.

The meeting was held to review government’s engagement and promises made after the increase of the price of fuel and domestic gas.

During the 8-hour discussion, the syndicates expressed dissatisfaction with the level of implementation of compensatory measures to cushion the price hikes, arguing that measures put in place by government so far have not been enough to improve the living conditions of Cameroonians.

They specifically cited the recent 5 % increase of civil servants’ salary as not sufficient to cope with the significant increase in prices of basic commodities in the market.

They also complained that some authorities still demand the payment of certain taxes which had long been scrapped off by government.

As a proposal, the syndicates demanded:

• A review of retirement age

• A reduction of the current 15-year longevity before civil servants due retirement benefits.

• An increase of the current 150 000 francs maximum pension for non civil servants.

Minister Gregoire Owona in response to the above demands re-assured the assembly stating that the current social dialogue is a gradual process. Some of the demands will be met in the long term.