Cameroon -- Increasing Strike Actions Reveal Decay In Establishment

The recent wave of manifestations in Cameroon is a clear indication that there is a problem in the system. The wounds and scars of the people are conspicuous enough for the blind to see.

The latest in a line of protests in Cameroon is the announcement by the Cameroon Doctors Trade Union of its unflinching commitment to carry on with a strike action that has been coming on and off for several months now.

Several months back teachers took to the street in Yaoundé to claim unpaid, accumulated salaries worth several billions of francs CFA.

We may not have to talk about the Anglophone Case again. It speaks for itself.

A few days back the producer of jingles for the lone state-broadcaster was at the Ministry of Communication to demand accumulated unpaid money. That is enough for us to get into the core of the matter, we guess.

There is every indication that our country is moving towards a chasm.

Cameroon -- Increasing Strike Actions Reveal Decay In Establishment

How can we explain the fact that in a country where health care is still a mighty concern, medical doctors should complain of underpayment or early retirement age? And what is more shocking is that these people who spend seven years to learn how to take care of our fragile health are crying when other members of society are living a very lavish life.

A student at the Advanced School of Administration and Magistracy starts earning at least CFA 100,000 per month while in school. After two years they are integrated directly into the public service.

Besides students from ENAM, we have their counterparts from the International Relations Institute of Cameroon. Students from the Department of Diplomacy are being paid while they are still studying. As if that is not enough, their integration into the public service is more than 100 per cent guaranteed. And it does not end there. But let us limit ourselves to that point.

On the contrary, teachers, especially primary school teachers, have to carry their cross like Jesus during training, and sometimes, after graduation.

How can we explain this divide? That medical doctors study for seven good years without any pay and after graduation some of them earn less CFA 200,000 in the public service; that students from higher teachers training colleges across the nation should go through a three-year course and still wait for integration or for their salaries when students from other corps start putting food on their table as early as possible; and that some trained primary school teachers should still be home after completing training several years ago.

It is high time the powers that be looked into the situation and shook down the roof of the old establishment.

We have nothing against the students from those well-placed institutions. Instead we are simply calling for equity in society. If we are poor, let everybody feel the poverty, and when we are better-of, everyone should have their own share.