Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-02-22 07:00:48
President Paul Biya of Cameroon has recently approved a 5 percent increase in the basic salaries of civil servants and military personnel in the country. This announcement, made on February 21, comes in the wake of the government’s decision to increase petrol and diesel prices by up to 15 percent. This fuel price hike has also led to a rise in urban and inter-urban transport fares, marking the second price adjustment in the past 12 months.
In addition to the salary increment, President Biya has also raised family allowances for each child dependent on a civil servant to 4,500 FCFA. This move is aimed at providing extra financial support to families within the civil service. While these decisions demonstrate President Biya’s commitment to addressing the economic concerns of those directly employed by the state, private sector employees are also hopeful for an increase in the minimum wage.
As discussions between the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, and private-sector employers continue, the goal is to reach an agreement on the minimum wage for workers in the private sector, taking into consideration the challenging cost of living in the country. Currently, the minimum wage for private sector workers stands at 41,875 FCFA, which was increased a year ago from 36,270 FCFA in response to a previous increase in fuel prices.
These ongoing discussions highlight the government’s acknowledgement of the economic pressures faced by workers in both the public and private sectors. The cost of living in Cameroon has been on the rise, particularly since February 2022, when Russia’s war on Ukraine led to a global food scarcity and inflation.
President Biya’s recent decisions on salary and family allowance increases for civil servants, along with ongoing discussions on the minimum wage for private sector workers, reflect the government’s efforts to address the economic challenges that have arisen due to the global economic situation and domestic fuel price hikes. These measures aim to provide financial relief to both public and private sector employees who have been impacted by the increasing cost of living in Cameroon.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
