Gov’t, ILO seal deal to promote decent work, social dialogue.

It was signed at the Prime Minister’s Office. The signing of the convention was part of activities marking the working visit of the ILO Director General, Gilbert Houngbo. The visit lasted from May 12 to 15.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, signed on behalf of Cameroon government, while the Director of the International Labour Bureau for Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, Claude Yao Kouame, signed on behalf of the ILO.

The Secretary General of the Cameroon Business Consortium, Dr Protais Ayangma and the President of the Confederation of Workers Trade Unions, Abraham Baboule, also penned their signatories on the convention.

The signing was supervised by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute. It was signed after the first programme which cover the period 2014 to 2019. 

The different parties, as per the agreement, have committed towards increasing the possibilities of decent work and employment, expanding social protection coverage to the most vulnerable, and increasing avenues for social dialogue.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, explained that the DWCP which was adopted after contributions from all parties, is a major boost to the strategic vision of the State in relation to employment and decent work enshrined in the National Development Strategy, NDS, 2020-2030. 

He reiterated that it also affirms the engagement of Cameroon towards the World Coalition for Social Justice. 

On his part, the Director of ILO-Cameroon noted that the document signed falls within its framework of addressing key issues of the world of work

“In Cameroon, we have three priorities; youth employment, social protection and social dialogue. I think these three aspects are well covered in this document,” Claude Yao Kouame told the press.

PM, ILO DG hold talks

In prelude to the signing, the Prime Minister granted audience to the visiting ILO Director General with focus on issues related to social security, health coverage and gender inclusion and vocational training. 

Speaking at the end of their audience, the ILO visiting official said they discussed on several issues but most importantly on social protection, and the Universal Health Coverage. 

“This is just part of the priorities that Head of State, President Paul Biya put forth at the beginning of his mandate. We were so touched by the challenge of increasing the women participation in the labour market and tackling the pay gap that exist our countries,” the ILO official said. 

He further stated that: “We also touched on the importance of vocation training which is going to be key in helping the youth to be better prepare in dealing with the miss match between the skills developed by the youths and what the labour market is looking for”.  

It is worth noting that the ILO official visited Cameroon on the invitation of the Head of State, Paul Biya. During his stay in Cameroon, he met with the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, and the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, as well as representatives of the United Nations system.