2013 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - Cameroon
| Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
| Publication Date | 6 June 2013 |
| Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, 2013 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - Cameroon, 6 June 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51b8517b16.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Violence against trade unionists: On 8 November 2012, approximately 500 members of the Musicians' Union of Cameroon (SYCAMU) were brutally attacked by police in Yaoundé. Artists, including 85 year old Anne-Marie Nzié, known as the "Queen of Cameroonian Music" were dragged to the floor and beaten. Sixty-three musicians were arrested and held for hours before being released. SYCAMU members were protesting that a new agreement for the payment of royalties to artists has not been properly enforced.
Anti-union discrimination: Since May 2012, management of the company Orange, targets trade union leaders who have received notifications with unilateral changes to their employment contracts.
The law prohibits anti-union discrimination and allows fines to be levied against employers convicted of this, but does not provide for any restitution in the form of reinstatement or compensation of the unfairly dismissed workers.
Sanctions for trade union activities: The Labour Code imposes heavy fines for trade union activities before registration. At the same time the registration of trade unions is subject to previous authorisation by the public authorities.
