They are demanding outstanding FCFA 625 million rights (insurance, medical and transport) accumulated between six months and 15 years of work.

Anyone who has been following up keenly the wave of agitations by ex-temporary workers of the Cameroon Shipyard and Industrial Engineering, CNIC, would certainly nod his head in confirmation that the current protest shines a new light of a more broiling situation. The aggrieved erstwhile temporary workers, about a hundred of them, held the premises of the company hostage for several hours, mounted road barricades, principally with irons and tyres, at the main entrance forestalling any in-and-out movements.

The agitating mob went wild when at the receptionist they were refused meeting officials of the company. Back at the main gates the protesters bumped upon vehicles, beating up the bonnet and rained verbal assaults at officials as they attempted to negotiate a pass. Some drivers were angrily hauled back to their seats and forced to stay out of the company premises. Simon Ekome, CNIC Human Resource Director, who walked out to calm the rising tension. While brandishing a report of the situation signed Wednesday, December 7, called for peace, adding that the special commission set up to study their situation did not only work in close collaboration with their representatives but has rounded up their assignment. He presented to them a final document consisting of 372 names of ex-temporary workers whose claims have been calculated at FCFA 625 million.

The amount, he told them, is due payment as soon as the Regional Delegation of Labour and Social Security approves of it. Meanwhile, their representatives to the commission: Albert Essomba Essomba; Raphael Ngoul Noko and Thierry Dhieppe are being accused of accepting FCFA 3 million bribe. Simon Ekome, however, told them that the report was to be sent to the General Manager for signatures before it will be forwarded to the Delegation of Labour and Social Security. At press time yesterday, a new problem arose, that of names of some protesters featuring among 371 ex-temporary workers whose claims to such dues are illegal, said Ekome. “We are considering only those who worked more than six months,” he said. Among the things re-echoed in their demand are the immediate payment of their rights. “We want our accumulated insurance, medical and transport dues. We must send our children to school and afford a good end-of-year festivity. Our rights range from six months to about 15 years of work,” says Ngiah Toby Tah, former temporary CNIC electrician who worked 10 years.