A collective bargaining agreement between employers and employees was signed yesterday in Yaounde.

Employers and employees operating in the tourism sector particularly those working in hotels, restaurants, snack bars and night clubs yesterday October 30 in Yaounde signed a collective bargaining agreement which aims at improving the working conditions and living standards of those employed in the sector. Presiding at the ceremony was the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, who called on employers to immediately execute what they have agreed.

The President of the Commission to revise the working conditions of workers in the tourism sector, Adey Simon Fru said after two years of discussion, the commission was able to come out with an instrument of dialogue that will henceforth define the working conditions of those in hotels, bars, restaurants and night clubs. With the signing of the collective bargaining agreement, the salaries of employers have increased. Those employed between categories one to six have a five per cent increase on their salaries; category seven to nine have a 3 per cent increased while those from category ten to twelve have a two per cent increase on their salaries. Workers in the sector will also be allocated fringe benefits such as longevity bonuses, night allowances particularly for those working in hotels, overtime pay, housing and transport compensations. The convention has also taken into consideration the social security of workers in the sector.