Workers Demand Decent Working Conditions

Workers in Cameroon joined their peers in the world on Wednesday May 1, 2013 to commemorate the 127th edition of the International Labour Day. The day was marked by a grand march past at the May 20 Boulevard in Yaounde. The event marked the end of week-long activities to commemorate the International Labour Day 2013 in Cameroon. The theme for this year was "Decent work and the fight against corruption."

It was an opportunity for workers to stand their grounds against corruption through messages. For close to four hours, workers marched past the grandstand carrying banners with messages such as "Decent work for the acceleration of growth for Cameroon," "Decent work and respect for workers' rights," and "Decent employment: optimisation of output," among others. The different speakers at the occasion stressed on the need to need to avoid corruption in enterprises for the good of the nation.

The President of the Confederation of Cameroon Trade Unions (CCTU), Jean Marie Zambo Amougou, said all acts of corruption bring about loss of confidence and spur repeated conflicts. He said on behalf of victims of corruption, the CCTU will join government in the fight against corruption for an emerging Cameroon. He said owing to the Cameroon's rich natural resources, it can offer jobs to its citizens without corruption. He called on employers to put an end to slavery, colonialism and neo-apartheid with workers who are exploited in the payment of their rights and irregular compensations due to corruption and a weak judicial system. He said the CCTU counts on all social partners and actors of development to attain the objective of the promotion of decent work in order to clear the society from and ensure happiness for all.