The National Labour Consultative Committee met in Yaounde on January 14, 2016, proposing that the monthly amount be raised from 1,800 FCFA to 2,800 FCFA.
Sequel to President Paul Biya’s New Year address on December 31, 2015, in which he announced an increase in family allowance, the National Labour Consultative Committee held its 19th meeting yesterday, January 14, 2016, in Yaounde. Rising from the sitting, participants (including representatives of employers, government and labour union leaders), announced a proposed increment of 55 per cent.
Consequently, the monthly amount paid per child aged 21 years and below, belonging to a registered worker, moves from 1,800 FCFA to 2,800 FCFA. This represents an increase of 55 per cent. The measure is expected to take effect as from this month as directed by the Head of State on December 31, 2016. The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, who is also Chair of the National Labour Consultative Committee, promised that the proposal will be promptly submitted to the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang, for forwarding to the Head of State.
He promised that government will continue to give an ear to labour demands, disclosing that the committee also suggested that the next increment should not take long. It will be recalled that the last rate of 1,800 FCFA was decided on August 2, 1985.
The Minister noted that the committee was sitting at a time of high expectations, adding that government was determined to alleviate poverty and improve the lot of workers. He said the worry is that Cameroon is seeking to attain social emergence after years of economic crisis. Minister Owona promised that as the economy improves gradually, labour demands will be met. In response to the recommendation to increase family allowance by 1,000 FCFA, union leaders said they argued for a much bigger increment.
But after listening to the reasons advanced by the Minister of Finance, Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the General Manager of the National Social Insurance Fund, CNPS, Alain Olivier Noël Mekulu Mvondo, they agreed on the consensus amount. Meanwhile, Minister Gregoire Owona announced the holding of staff delegate polls on March 1, 2015. Unlike in the past, the electioneering period has been reduced from one month to two weeks.
