The common pay scale for banks and micro-finance workers was presented to government last Wednesday.
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Robert Nkili has urged banking and micro-finance institutions in Cameroon to respect the new common pay scale for their workers. Minister Nkili was speaking last Wednesday November 24 as he officially chaired the presentation of the document to government. Flanked by the Ministers of Finance, Small and Medium Sized Enterprise, Social Economy and the Handicraft and the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in Charge of the National Gendarmerie, Robert Nkili reminded the crowd of bankers and experts in the sector that his role is to promote social dialogue and ensure that they are treated well by their employers. The Labour Minister lauded the experts for taking into consideration the fight against poverty and the payment of all fringe benefits and the upward review of workers’ salaries to ameliorate their living conditions.
The new pay scale that goes into effect immediately takes into consideration two principal areas; the determination of salaries and the living conditions of employees. There is a 50 per cent salary increase for categories three to six; 45 per cent for seven to nine, and 39 per cent for 10 to 12. For transportation, 30 per cent has been set aside for employees while the same percentage holds for lodging for permanent staff. Thirty-three percent of salaries will be given to staff that go on transfer. The over all increase of salaries stands at 6.5 per cent.
Measures have also been taken to stem the spread of HIV/ AIDS in the sector while those already infected will be taken good care of. Those suffering from chronic diseases have not been forgotten. Benedict Belibi, Secretary General of the Association of Micro-Credit Establishments (APECCAM), said the idea is to ameliorate the living conditions of his colleagues. The new salary scheme determines the rights and duties of staff and is said to respect international norms. Since its inception in 2000, APECCAM has worked for the increase of salaries of workers in the financial sector in the country every two years. The ceremony ended with the award of medals of honour and handwork to two union officials; Benedict Belibi and Isaac Bessala.
