Social Dialogue:

Transporters call off Planned Indefinite Strike

A planned strike by workers in the transport sector across the country has been called off. This was after leaders of transporters syndicates met with the minister of transport and sorted out their differences with the government.

            Both parties at the meeting agreed that the fcfa 5000 that was charged to owners of driving schools as levy for on-line registration of candidates for driving tests be proscribed. Participants complained that the levy was fictitious and its destination untraceable.

            In a communiqué jointly signed by leaders of transporter’ syndicates and owners of driving schools and read to reporters by a spokesman of the transporters, Francois Ngamesobo, said “After fruitful exchanges with the minister of transport, we collective of syndicates of the road transport sector in Cameroon have decided to withdraw our plan to begin an indefinite strike as from Monday 9 April 2018….”

            The strike was called following the recent death of Charles Mvondo, a taxicab driver, after he was allegedly manhandled by Gendarme officers in the Ngousso neighborhood in Yaounde.

            It was decided at the meeting that the government will take care of the funeral expenses of the deceased taxi driver and also provide other assistance to his family.

            After the long hours of exchange, the minister of transport, Ngalle Massena Bibehe expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting.

            “Concerns in the transport sector have been sorted out and there is no problem. What still poses a problem is the issue of the handling of the cost of the funeral of the taxicab driver who died. But the issue was resolved in the course of the discussions. The transporters agreed to relay the resolutions of the meeting to their colleagues who did not participate in the meeting. Globally we are satisfied with the outcome of the discussions,” the minister said.

            Other resolutions of the meeting include the pursuit of on-line registration of candidates for driving tests; supplementary charges for driving tests to be supported by the government; government to take measures for the adequate management of funds accruing from the processes leading to the issuing of driving licences; creation of a platform for regular exchange between transporters’ syndicates and the government and lastly the decision of government to see into the situation of the family of the deceased taxicab driver.

            The discussions were held within the framework of government’s resolve to ensure social dialogue, peace and social cohesion in the country.