Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee takes note of the comments sent by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in communications dated 24 August 2010 and 4 August 2011, and the Government’s reply thereon. The Committee notes the comments of the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC), dated 20 September 2010 and 9 September 2011 and the comments of the Confederation of United Workers of Cameroon (CTUC), dated 20 October 2011. It requests the Government to provide its observations thereon in its next report.

Article 1 of the Convention. Sanctions against trade unionists. With regard to its request concerning the amendment of sections 6(2) and 166 of the Labour Code, which allow the imposition of fines ranging between 50,000 and 500,000 francs on members responsible for the administration or management of a non-registered trade union, who act as if the union had been registered, the Committee refers to its observation in the framework of the regular examination of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87).

Article 4. Right of collective bargaining in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to reply to the comments made by the trade union organizations concerning the lack of genuine collective bargaining in the country since 1996. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that Cameroon has negotiated and signed 30 collective agreements and contracts, including seven enterprise agreements, covering millions of workers in the private sector.

Compliance with collective agreements. The Committee notes that, in its reply to the comments of the ITUC of 24 August 2010, the Government indicates that the problem of the application of collective agreements by enterprises is a priority and that it is endeavouring to extend and to make all collective agreements binding. Recalling the importance of guaranteeing compliance with collective agreements by the parties, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted in this respect.