Moto-taxis outraged over strike threat

Drivers of motorcycle taxis are outraged at being dragged into strike threats made by trade unions over the increase in fuel and domestic gas prices.

On July 2 Jean Ndefossokeng Collins, president of the National Union of Employees of land transport, said: "Right now we have a slogan strike planned for July 7th flowing when we did not even know there was rising fuel prices was coming behind us.

“Now this increase has been added to the complaints made by us in the direction of government. This will be a general and indefinite strike for all motorcycle taxi drivers, taxi drivers and long distance carriers."

In response to this, Guy Youmsi Tchimba, the Littoral regional president of the National Union of moto-taxi in Cameroon (Synamotac) argues they were never consulted or even associated with those threatening to strike.

“To give more weight to their movement, they just associated us. We have our problems, our union, so we can defend ourselves," he added.

To formalize their disagreement with the decisions of drivers and official taxis, Synamotac produced their own Communiqué:

President Chief Ntonéfor Nguimo wrote: "The president of the National Union of Cameroon motorcycle taxis shall inform the national and international opinion that the motorcycle taxi drivers in all ten regions of Cameroon, as well as all those who exercise that profession, their union does not recognize all the words in the strike.

“These strikes are organized and orchestrated in order to ensure that the government does not take into account the demands of stakeholders but motorcycle taxis protest against these manipulations.”

Mr Youmsi added: “Unions taxi drivers launched strike slogans without our notice. They went to take the money in Yaoundé and suspended their threats. How can we expect to grow with such corrupted attitudes? They bring us more in their business.

“Complaints that were identified during the various meetings find a solution through dialogue which is engaged with the government. Vigilance and caution are recommended to all stakeholders’ of motorcycle taxi."