SGBC staff on strike, calling for DG's departure

While State agents congregate at the counters of banks since June 24, 2014, to collect their pay by the month of June, the Cameroon subsidiary of Société Générale (SG) staff decided to strike June 25, 2014, thus executing a notice sent by the Union representatives to the leaders of this banking institution on June 19, 2014.

Through this indefinite strike, employees of Société Générale Cameroon seek the departures of the Direction General, Guillaume Jean-Philippe, and the Director of human resources (HRD), Ms. Penda, as well as the reintegration of their colleague, Olivier Djaba, "unjustly terminated, for review of the case, according to the disciplinary procedures and the internal code of ethics" of the Bank.

In addition to the 'redevelopment without delay at the top of the Board of the Bank, notably at the branch and the human resources branch", SG Cameroon staff require 'payment of the differential premiums and allowances not transferred to employees promoted to the title of the annual review of situation 2013', reads strike notice of June 19, 2014.

Generally, the employees denounce in the above mentioned, the DG of the SG Cameroon is accused of infringing the rights of workers, with the consent of HRD, especially in blackmailing employees, brandishing 'threats of closure of the doors and sale of subsidiary', whenever the staff delegates contest "a bad decision" or require the "reinstatement of violated right.

"If you insist, the SG group will sell its Cameroon subsidiary, as was the case in Egypt, and I will quietly go to continue my career in France", allegedly threatened Jean-Philippe Guillaume in a meeting with representatives of the staff in February 2013.

The DG is also charged with holding 'irreverent comments, insulting or even derogations towards social representatives and institutions of the Republic, including justice and public authorities.'

However, negotiations to put an end to this crisis have been opened.