By Nformi Ngi Jones Tamfu
While the nation prepared for parades, road construction workers in Douala decried 14 months of unpaid wages, citing systemic corruption and “hollow” celebrations.
On the eve of the 140th International Labour Day, the streets of Cameroon were typically lined with commemorative banners and the buzz of festive preparation. But in Douala, the atmosphere at the headquarters of Routd’Af a prominent road construction and public works company was anything but celebratory.
Hundreds of workers swapped their tools for placards, launching a peaceful protest to expose a grim reality: they are starving while building the nation’s infrastructure.
The grievances presented by the Routd’Af staff paint a picture of a sophisticated cycle of debt. Workers claim they have been left without consistent pay for periods ranging from 8 to 14 months.
According to protesters, the company employs a “staggered” payment tactic to keep the wheels turning without settling its debts.
“It has become a common practice to work for four months only to receive pay for one,” one protester exclaimed “We then labour for another three months just to see a single month’s salary. Today, I am owed 14 months. I cannot feed my children; I cannot pay school fees or rent. We are drowning.
For those who have given their lives to the company, the indignity is personal. One veteran employee, who has dedicated a decade to the firm, shared a sobering look at his household dynamics.
“I have to borrow money from my wife just to cover my transportation to work,” he revealed. In a cruel irony, he noted that despite the company owing him over a year of wages, management still enforces strict penalties for tardiness, deducting money from salaries that haven’t even been paid. “It is a cycle of despair,” he added.
As the chants of “All we want is our salaries” echoed at the company’s gates at monte St. Michel, the protest highlighted a “silent pandemic” within Cameroon’s private sector.
Widespread Neglect
A growing narrative of resignation among private-sector employees.
Alleged Misallocation: most often funds intended for payroll are often diverted to “silence” regulatory officials.
Government Silence: A perceived indifference from state authorities regarding the violation of labour laws.
For the men and women of Routed’Af, May 1 is no longer a day of pride, but a reminder of their invisibility.
“How can we work in our own country and still be unable to take care of our families?” one worker shouted over the crowd. “If they cannot pay us, they should just let .us go. We demand justice, not a parade.”
As the nation marched on May 1, the empty pockets of some Douala private sector workers served as a stark reminder that for many, Labour Day is a celebration of a dignity they have yet to receive.
At press time, Routd’Af management had not issued an official statement regarding the protest or the timeline for the settlement of the alleged 14-month arrears.
