FEICOM workers told to appreciate enticing privileges they enjoy.

The management, represented by Daniel Elisse Ntyie Ntyie, reacted when workers organised a sumptuous dinner, to mark the close of week-long activities that culminated in the celebration of the 138th edition of the International Labour Day, on Wednesday May 1.

The FEICOM Staff Delegate, Npend Nicolas, who presented an elaborate speech on behalf of workers, had complained that FEICOM workers are yet to enjoy the 5% increase in salaries approved for all workers in Cameroon, by President Paul Biya.

Npend reminded management that, at the beginning of the current financial year, President Biya made an upward adjustment of fuel pomp prices. This act led to a spiraling of prices of basic necessities, including services delivered to the population.

He said in his effort to help cushion the effect of this on workers, President Biya approved a salary increase of 5% for all workers. 

The FEICOM Staff Delegate expressed dismay that while other categories of workers in the country are already enjoying this salary increase, they at FEICOM are yet to do so.

He called on the management to put pressure on President Biya to make sure this benefit is implemented at the level of FEICOM. 

Npend warned management not to take the leniency of worker representatives for granted, as such laity could cause workers to perceive their representatives as inept, lax and compromising.

He insisted that the salary increase remains a debt that government is bound to pay to FEICOM workers. 

The Staff Delegate also complained of the deplorable state of the road that leads to FEICOM headquarters, pressing on management to take responsibility and make sure the road is upgraded as soon as possible.

Just as he deplored the fact that some workers who have spent up to 10 years on one duty post, still remain to be redeployed; and the sub-standard services workers are subjected to at the institution´s health clinic.

The Staff Delegate, however, showered praises on the Director General, Philippe Camille Akoa. He said FEICOM boss has worked tirelessly to make a paradise for workers.

Management urges to staff to shun ingratitude 

After listening to the series of worries raised, management rather called on staff to shun ingratitude, attesting that FEICOM workers are not just enjoying a special class of remuneration unavailable to workers in any other public establishment in the country, but the social and other benefits at FEICOM compete with the best around the globe.

The representative of management, for instance, disclosed that the mission allowance of a driver working with FEICOM is much higher than that of a director attached to some ministries in the country. The same is true for other benefits.

He FEICOM workers have every reason to be grateful, rather than complaining, management representative asserted.

Pre-Labour Day activities

FEICOM staff, it should be said, had prior to the event, embarked on week-long activities that culminated in the match past to mark the Labour Day celebration. 

FEICOM staff started with cultural displays, which they shared themselves into groups representing the various ecological zones of the country – Sawa, Grass field, Fang/Beti and the Sudano/Sahelian regions.

At the end of the dancing competition, the Sawa group came out top and was awarded first prize. There were second and third place consolation prizes for two other groups.

The sporting competitions included football for men and handball for women. Again, worker participants were divided according to the number of floors that make up the headquarters building; but with one team, each for football men and women handball, coming from the Centre Region Agency of FEICOM.

At the end of the competition, first, second and third place teams were selected. They received their prizes during that closing dinner. As well as those who distinguished themselves as highest goal scorers, best behaved team, best goal keepers and so on.

The management representative summed up closing activities by exhorting workers to remain upbeat, stressing that FEICOM had achieved significant strides that had positioned the establishment in, not only national, but international limelight, so there was no going back. 

“We have distinguished ourselves when it comes to good governance; when it comes to organizing study tours; when it comes to respecting international labour and environmental standards which has fetched us a number of prestigious awards, and so on. So, we have no choice than to continue to work in synergy to consolidate these gains,” Elisse Ntyie asserted.