Day: May 1, 2023

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Angolan government pledges to meet employees expectations

Angolan minister of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security Teresa Rodrigues Dias reiterated Monday the Executive’s commitment to meet workers demands.

In a congratulatory message to mark International Workers’ Day, Teresa Dias points to the new General Labour Law and the new Labour Procedure Code as crucial instruments for guaranteeing labour rights and obligations.

According to the minister, the full satisfaction of the workers’ legitimate demands is the Executive’s goal, despite the long way to go.

“However, we are encouraged by the firm conviction that better days are approaching, taking into account the improvement in the macroeconomic scenario and the implementation of economic and social development policies”, reiterated the minister.

Teresa Dias also announced deep changes as being underway at the level of the National Institute of Social Security, with the assumption of guaranteeing dignified pensions for workers and decent life for pensioners.

In the message, the minister bows to the memory of the men and women who fought for the improvement of working conditions and the dignity of workers, congratulating everyone, from the most diverse specialties, for continuing to lend their commitment and dedication to dignifying the Nation.

To Teresa Rodrigues Dias, the 1st of May, 1886 will never be forgotten and will continue to be celebrated by all those who continue to fight for better conditions for workers.

The minister also highlights the role of social partners, with main emphasis on trade unions and employers’ organisations, which have stood out for their dialogue and permanent social dialogue.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Limbe: Fako SDO calls on employers to respect new minimum wage

The Senior Divisional officer for Fako Division, Mr. Chaibou, has called on workers to be committed and diligent in their place of work and for employers to respect the minimum wage.

He spoke on May Day at the Manga Williams Avenue, in Limbe, Southwest region.

Despite threats from the separatist fighters, several workers in the Fako division, joined their peers around the world to commemorate the international labour day.

The celebration of the 137th International Labour Day was commemorated under the theme; Resilience and Decent Work: Acting Together in the World of Work to improve living Conditions and Social Inclusion.

Some 100 dedicated workers also received gold, silver, and bronze medals from the SDO.

“ I was awarded a gold silver medal in this labor day edition, I feel so elated because after serving in the University of Buea for 21 years and retiring in 2015 I’m so grateful that the state has finally recognized my services to the nation,”. An awardee, Wilson Bella said in a statement.

Some workers used the opportunity to deploy the unfavorable working conditions and called for collective actions to ameliorate the situation.

The trade unionists on their part called for better working conditions of workers and for the implementation of the new monthly minimum wage by some hesitant employers.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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“Ministry of Labour serves no purpose” – Gregoire Owono tells critics Head of State’s plan is being implemented

As Cameroonians join the world to celebrate International Labour Day, May 1, several persons have questioned the role of the Labour Ministry in Cameroon, highlighting working conditions as “deplorable”.

Reacting to the concerns raised, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, says “There is a strategy conceived by the Head of State, which has to be implemented accordingly.”

“People might say that we do not serve any purpose, but I think we serve in a lot of things,” he told Actualite Hebdo host, Romuald Ntchuisseu Ngock.

“We are working on improving the working conditions according to the plan of President Paul Biya” Gregoire Owona said.

“When we talk about the improvement in the conditions of work, don’t only look at the salaries, also look at the working environment, look at how the workers are being treated by their bosses, look at the social advantages that the employers can offer to their workers.”

The Labour boss said emphasis is laid on the collaboration between employers, employees and the government according to this year’s theme which is; Resilience and Decent Work: Acting Together in the World of Work to Improve Living Conditions and Social Inclusion.

“The theme is to tell workers that despite the difficult context, despite the difficulties that we face, the objective is to attain decent working conditions. Let there be more dialogue between the employers and employees as well as the gov’t” Minister Gregoire Owona said.

The International Labour Day is in its 137th edition.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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May Day, oh! those good days of CDC

The Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) has been reported over the years to have provided employment to thousands of both young and aged men not leaving out women and children who served as cooks, cleaners, and nurses in Camp hospitals as well as help with the transportation of products from the areas of harvest. CDC workers say they have been abandoned by the authorities especially those still living in the camps. The workers say they cannot enjoy the sweet labor day celebration as before.

These Workers of the Cameroon Development Corporation CDC say they no longer make merry and dance to labor day celebrations compared to the previous years.

“After a colorful march past at the Manga Williams Avenue Limbe, we the workers use to meet at SS club in Bota for part two of the celebrations. I mean back in the days of early 2017. I cannot say the same now in 2023 because the present workers are scared of what is happening in Cameroon now” Mr. Paul Hakim ex CDC worker.

” Labour Day especially in CDC camps back in the day could be compared to Christmas itself. Our wives use to cook serious good meals and treat us like kings for our hard work. I mean we use to really merry and feel comfortable moving around. Today we are all home. That incident that led to the abduction of 8 of our colleagues really dealt with us. The little courage we use to have all disappeared. We have children and wives to be fathers and husbands to” Mr. Yannick Njie a current CDC worker.

“We go without salaries for years, we have been totally abandoned. If the government can really revive CDC, I think everything will get back to normal. Our sons are angry because of reasons which are true but only a peaceful dialogue can solve” Mr. Peter Njoki.

The workers say, there is no completely happy and peaceful Southwest region without a peaceful and orderly well kept CDC.

Source: Cameroon News Agency