Transport union reps meet with government ministers

Representatives of trade unions in the transport sector have met with five Government Ministers to discuss complains raised in the letters of the urban transporters addressed to the Minister of Transport in Yaounde.

The meeting comes after heads of transport trade unions cancelled a planned strike action demanding for the improvement of their living conditions.

During the emergency meeting, the heads of trade unions presented the following grievances:

-Funds collected at the toll gate be closed down if they cannot be used for the construction of the roads.

-Insurances companies hardly pay damages despite the huge sums collected from users.

-The July 2014 ordinance setting up a reduction in the special taxes on fuel products be applied.

In response to this, the Minister of Transport, Robert Nkili urged transporters to be simply respectful and patriotic in their presentations.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona in his part gave trade Union representatives the modalities of affiliating to the National Social Insurance Fund.

The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana said the taxes had to be reduced to lessen government subvention are not in favour the drivers in any specific ways.

He further promised an intense road campaign on taxis in order to trap fake taxis for the protection of individuals given that there is always congestion during the festive period. In order to accomplish this, a campaign to identify taxis through door numbers will increase.

It was also revealed that trade unions will be involved in driving school examinations.

Minister Robert Nkili further promised to carry out a research on the total number of Transport Trade Unions in both Douala and Yaounde and the total number of Taxis found in these towns.

Minister of Transport promised to extend the limits within which taxis will have to circulate in the town from 20km to 40.

He also announced plans to facilitate the issuance of driving licences to professional drivers and the certificate of mastering of the town known as de capacite.