The Cameroonian government has initiated talks with the union representing support staff at state universities to address their grievances. The meeting, which took place in Yaoundé, was led by Minister of State for Higher Education, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo. The union, led by Jean Jacques Mbida, presented several key demands, including the payment of salary arrears estimated at over 6.5 billion FCFA.
The support staff union's demands also include the implementation of a new salary grid, estimated to cost around 2.3 billion FCFA, and the payment of a revalued minimum wage that has been pending since 2014. Additionally, the union is seeking improvements in career progression, nominations, and professional recognition for its members. The discussions also touched on issues of social coverage and the evolution of careers.
Minister of State Jacques Fame Ndongo acknowledged the difficulties faced by the support staff and called for concrete and rapid solutions. He recognized that delays in payments may have occurred but assured that efforts are being made to rectify the situation. The minister emphasized the need for accelerated procedures to address the union's concerns, requesting the consolidation of figures and the availability of documents to initiate administrative steps without delay.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the rectors of the Universities of Yaoundé I and Yaoundé II, as well as a representative from the Ministry of Finance. The government officials' presence underscores the importance of resolving the support staff's grievances and ensuring the smooth operation of state universities.
The union's president, Jean Jacques Mbida, described the situation as dire, stating that it is a "cri de cœur" for his colleagues. The support staff's concerns are not limited to financial issues but also encompass career development and professional recognition. The government's engagement with the union is seen as a positive step towards addressing these concerns.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to have a significant impact on the support staff at Cameroon's state universities. With a resolution to the issues, the government aims to improve the working conditions and welfare of the support staff, which could, in turn, enhance the overall performance of the universities.
The government has urged the union and the university administration to work together to find lasting solutions to the challenges faced by the support staff. By doing so, the government hopes to prevent future disruptions and ensure that the universities continue to provide quality education to students.
Key points
- The Cameroonian government has agreed to address the support staff union's demands, including salary arrears and career progression.
- The union's demands are estimated to cost over 8.8 billion FCFA.
- The government has pledged to accelerate procedures to resolve the support staff's grievances.
