Government halts today's intended strike by transporters

On October 7, transporters unions sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, in which they criticized among others, static fuel prices at the pump, "when the price of oil has fallen internationally."

The petitioners of the union urged the government to find solutions to contain the anger of their colleagues. They all know that oil prices are falling rapidly internationally and logical expect the decline to be reflected in prices in Cameroon. They also condemned smuggling which beats down their activity.

On Friday, November 13, consultations brought together members of different unions of transporters and the Minister of Labour and Social Security in Yaounde. The head of the ministry, Grégroire Owona, and trade unionists signed an agreement ending the strike announced for Monday, November 16, 2015.

During the meeting, Minister Grégroire Owona issued a decree of the Prime Minister Philemon Yang, setting up a Committee against the smuggling. Also another joint order of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization and Ministry of Transport, on the establishment, organization and functioning of special brigades to fight against smuggling with immediate effect on the entire national territory, we learn in Cameroon Tribune No. 10971 of Monday, November 16.

According to the trade unionist Emmanuel Ngamkou, "we have set off some number of points that our members expect. What we demanded for is what was taken into account by the government. This is why everyone is quiet, there is no strike."

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, has meanwhile indicated that "the fruits of the social dialogue are there, we had a good step forward, and the unions like government is in a position where they will continue to work. All this to improve the condition of the Cameroonian worker."

The committee set up by the Prime Minister's mission is to develop the overall plan of operations to be performed as part of the fight against illegal road transport, to ensure consistency and coordination of all activities relating to its planning, among others. As for the claim for the lower price of fuel at the pump, it will be carefully monitored according to the final communiqué signed by both parties.