Several of them gathered at the University of Yaounde I yesterday to ask for improved working conditions among others.

More than 100 support staff from all the State Universities of Cameroon assembled in front of the Amphitheatre 700 of the University of Yaounde I yesterday to protest against alleged poor working conditions.

Despite threats from the administration, the representatives of support staff were determined to press for a review of their career profiles and payment of allowances. “It is unfair that support staff, the working machines in administrative, technical, health, financial and welfare departments of State universities are trampled upon, given mediocre salaries and work under dismal conditions. We are law-abiding citizens, peaceful and responsible and need better treatment,” one of the striking staff who opted for anonymity said. Jean Ngah, who arrived from Ngaoundere yesterday morning for the sit-in strike said the situation was same in all state universities. The Vice President of the Trade Union of Support staff of Cameroon’s state universities, Daniel Matute said they are in constant communication with all universities.

However, going on strike, the protesters say is not to destabilise the educational system given that the 2010/2011 academic year is about to kick off. But at the University of Yaounde I where protesters were gathered, work was almost at a stand still. Most offices were closed. Only a few staff were on hand, offering minimum services. According to the striking staff, Yaounde I is the mother university and assembling there was to show the magnitude of their grievances. “We could not demonstrate at the Ministry of Higher Education simply because we do not want to disturb public peace. We are peace loving, and law abiding Cameroonians,” Matute said.

The Genesis

It is in 2001 that support staff of State universities started the fight for the improvement of their working conditions. After reflecting and working out strategies with the powers that be for the text regulating the working conditions of support staff of universities, the document, trade unionists has remained blocked say, is stock in an office since 2006. 2009, support staff decided to come up with a national trade union to better defend their rights. The National Union of Support Staff of Cameroon Universities was therefore born and the body has since 2009 embarked on a fight to better their working conditions. After meetings with the commission involving the Ministries of Labour and Social Security, Finance, Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Higher Education and also representatives of other government departments, a consensus was arrived at and the file forwarded to the Prime Minister’s office in April. The trade unionists were agreed on three months for a decision to be made. By September 30th when all State Universities had held their general assembly meetings, the union after realising that nothing was said about their status decided to embark on a sit-in strike.

All the complaints notwithstanding all, the protesters say they are ready for dialogue. At press time, executive members of the union and officials of the Ministry of Higher Education were trying to come to a consensus.