2024-04-19 21:25:36
The National Social Security Fund (CNPS) of Cameroon is going through a period of turbulence. As the crucial meeting on April 18, 2024 on social dialogue approaches, staff delegates are stepping up to make their demands heard. Completion of the collective agreement, payment of rights, increase in salaries… The grievances are numerous and reflect a deep malaise within the institution, as exclusively revealed by 237online.com.
A collective agreement overdue since 2014
At the heart of union complaints: the endless series of collective agreements for social security organizations. Started in 2014 at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, negotiations have stalled, leaving workers uncertain about their rights.
“That the collective agreement which began in 2014 be completed in the following weeks”, demand the staff delegates, recalling Cameroon’s international commitments in terms of collective bargaining. A legitimate request, which reflects the growing exasperation in the face of this endless delay.
Rights violated, angry workers
But beyond the convention, it is a whole catalog of violated rights that the unions denounce. Starting with the non-payment of the 5% salary increase granted by the President of the Republic. A strong gesture, which remains a dead letter in the CNPS offices.
Same observation for transport costs, stuck at 50,000 FCFA since 2020 despite management’s commitments. Or even the reclassification of workers, provided for by the personnel statutes but never applied in practice. So many broken promises that fuel employee discontent.
The specter of a social rebellion
In this explosive context, the meeting of April 18 promises to be decisive. The staff representatives, strong in the support of their bases, are determined not to give up. For them, it is the very future of the CNPS that is at stake, as well as the dignity of its workers.
“We can no longer accept these repeated breaches of our most basic rights,” says a union official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “If management remains deaf to our demands, it will take responsibility for a major social conflict“, he warns, his jaw clenched.
Mekoulou Mvondo, a general manager in the hot seat
Because beyond statutory questions, it is the management of the CNPS which is being singled out. And first of all, that of its general director, Mekoulou Mvondo. According to our information, maneuvers are underway in high places to obtain his departure.
A change at the head of the institution which could reshuffle the cards of social dialogue. But which also raises many questions about the governance of this strategic fund for millions of Cameroonians. Instability, opacity… The ills from which the CNPS suffers seem profound and call for in-depth reform.
For a CNPS serving workers and policyholders
Because beyond personal quarrels and sectional interests, it is indeed the future of social protection in Cameroon that is at stake. The CNPS, through its crucial role in the management of pensions and social benefits, is a essential pillar of the Cameroonian social contract.
Its proper functioning, its ability to fulfill its missions in the interest of all, are major challenges for national cohesion and the well-being of citizens. Issues that require a start from all stakeholders, management, unions, supervision, to put the general interest at the heart of the priorities.
Will the April 18 meeting be that moment of truth? CNPS workers, and through them all policyholders, hope for this with all their hearts. They expect strong actions, concrete commitments to restore confidence and build a modern, effective and fair provident fund.
This is the whole meaning of their fight, of this unprecedented mobilization to defend their rights. A fight which is also that of all Cameroonians attached to social protection worthy of the name. The ball is now in the court of management and supervisory authorities. It’s up to them to seize this outstretched hand, to open a new page of social dialogue at the CNPS. The future of the institution, and that of millions of Cameroonians, depends on it.