Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1960)

Article 8(1) of the Convention. Deductions from wages. In its previous comments, the Committee took note of the observations of 9 September 2011 by the General Union of Workers of Cameroon (UGTC) and those of 20 October 2011 by the Cameroon Trade Union Congress (CTUC). These organizations allege irregularities in the wage deductions made by the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS) and failure to involve the National Consultative Labour Commission. The Committee notes that the Government’s latest report contains no fresh information in response to the comments by the two organizations and makes no further reference to the process of revision to bring section 75 of the Labour Code into line with this Article of the Convention. While stressing that social dialogue is of fundamental importance in the implementation of the provisions of international labour Conventions, the Committee points out that ultimate responsibility for alignment of the legislation with the Convention lies with the Government. It again asks the Government to send all relevant information on the measures taken to bring the legislation into line with the Convention on this point. Furthermore, it requests the Government to send to the Office copies of any draft amendments to section 75(1) of the Labour Code, reportedly submitted for examination to the National Consultative Labour Commission.

Article 12(1). Payment of wages at regular intervals. The Committee notes that in response to its previous comments, the Government states that the wage arrears due to former employees of privatized state enterprises are being paid as cases are dealt with, as agreed with the social partners, and according to budget availability. With regard to numerical data, the Government indicates that these will be sent to the Office at a later date as soon as they become available. The Committee understands that there are still difficulties in paying public sector wages on a regular basis, for example some contractual staff in the public service have received no pay for about two years. The Committee again asks the Government to provide detailed information on the problems of wage arrears that the Committee has raised in its comments since 2008, particularly with regard to the public sector, including the total amount of wage arrears, the operation of the special commission set up to calculate and settle the wage entitlements and arrears of former employees of state and semi-public enterprises, and any other measures taken or envisaged with a view to settling all outstanding payments and preventing the recurrence of similar problems in the future.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]