Members of the Cameroon journalists' Trade Union (CJTU) have handed a letter denouncing the non-respect of the National collective Convention for Journalists and related media professionals in Cameroon. A delegation made up of members of the National Executive Bureau, Regional Chapter executive and members handed over the letter on Wednesday 31 May 2023 at the North West Regional Delegation of Labour and Social Security.
On hand to receive the delegation was the Head of the Labour Inspection Brigade Mbomda Casmaire.
Presenting the context of the action, CjTU National Vice President In charge of international Relations explained that the move was part of the union'splan to advocate for better working conditions for media professionals in the Country.
Bakah Derick detailed that CJTU must be concerned about the working conditions of their members because it is their duty to protect media worker's rights, improve productivity, fulfil legal obligation and up- hold social responsibility.
National Adviser Choves Loh indicated that the action was going in all 10 regions of the country.
After receiving the letter and related articles of the convention expecting urgent attention from CJTU North West Chapter President Nji Ignatius, the Labour inspector promised that the request will be transmitted within the shortest possible time to the Minister of Labour and Social Security for action.
Here is the complete letter handed to the delegate.
Letter denouncing the non-application of the Collective Agreement.
Minister of Labour and Social Security
C/o
The Regional Delegation of Labour and Social Security for the North West
We, men and women of the Media, Anglophones and Francophones, from the public and private sectors, from across Cameroon, members of the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union (CJTU)
In our capacity as representative of Journalists within the Cameroon media at both the national and international levels, in this case, at the Regional General Assemblies since March 2023, at the ordinary elective Congress of June 25, 2022, at the Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in Abidjan, COTE D’IVOIRE on 29 and 30 March 2019 and 31st World Congress of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) held from May 31 to June 3, 2022 in Muscat OMAM;
Notes
That despite our various inquiries through our memoranda, the social situation of media employees remains characterized by an atmosphere of misery both in terms of wages, social security, and in terms of social dialogue, this in flagrant violation of the Labour Code, International conventions ratified by Cameroon and the Collective Agreement signed since November 12, 2008.
Understanding that convention 87 of the International Labour Organization on freedom of association and the protection of labour law adopted by the 31st assembly in July 1948, came to regulate the working relationship between workers and employers as well as between the latter and the trainees and that these reports to Cametpun are governed by Law No. 92/007 of August 14 1992, establishing the Labour Code;
That the arbitrating State did not intervene to compel the signatories to apply this collective agreement 15 years after its signature.
That, under these conditions of impoverishment, corruption and fear, Cameroonian journalists, in their majority, cannot suitably perform their expected fundamental duty of delivering good information contributing to the formation of democratic consciousness,
CJTU intends to fulfill with loyalty and respect for republican institutions its sovereign mission which is the study, defense, development and the protection of their economic and professional interests, in particular, as well as the social, economic, cultural and moral progress of its members.
That is why
We, men and women of the Media, Anglophones and Francophones, from the public and private sectors, from across Cameroon and members of the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union (CJTU)
Solemnly denounce this day, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the unilateral refusal by the employers party to apply the national collective agreement for journalists and professionals in related communication professions: social media of Cameroon.
Urgently request the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to activate the mixed parity commission for the final resolution of this dispute in the press sector in Cameroon.
Done in Douala, May 30, 2023
For the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union (CJTU)
The National Executive Bureau
The president
Marion OBAM MAHEL