The signing ceremony of the country program for decent work (PPTD) took place at the auditorium of the Prime Minister's office on this Tuesday, May 14th, 2024. The event was attended by the Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, and the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, who was on a working visit to Cameroon since Monday, May 13th. The signatories included Grégoire Owona, the Minister of Labour and Social Security on behalf of the government, Protais Ayangma, the Vice President of Gecam representing employers, Abraham Baboulé, the confederal president of CSTC representing workers, and Claude YAO KOUAME representing the ILO country office.
In his speech, the minister highlighted the clear intention of the public authorities who have already set in motion the tripartite agreement protocol covering the period 2023-2026. Minister Grégoire Owona sees it as a document spanning four years that includes vulnerable populations, the destitute, and the disabled. He finds it more appealing as it is more comprehensive in representing workers. According to Abraham Baboulé, a workers' representative, it is a framework agreement defining the priorities for ILO assistance to Cameroon for the 2023-2026 period. It is a tripartite document focusing on social priorities such as social dialogue, decent work, and employment, where ILO support is necessary for its implementation. Protais Ayangma, vice president of Gecam representing employers, sees it as a tripartite commitment signed by the government, workers, and employers, and they are fully committed to making this agreement a reality.For Claude Yao Kouame, the country representative of the ILO, "this is an important signature resulting from consultations with social partners in a tripartite framework, and the ILO has played its part in providing guidance and technical support, which will continue for the implementation of this country program for decent work that takes into account the priorities of work in Cameroon. We have had the opportunity to see that youth and women employment, social dialogue, and social protection are key priorities. These are the three priorities outlined in a document that will allow the ILO to carry out its activities in line with the country program for decent work. We will execute the activities outlined in this document in collaboration with the tripartite constituents, namely the government, employers, and workers."
It's safe to say that this document aligns perfectly with the government's vision outlined in the SND30 national development strategy, aiming to transform Cameroon into a thriving, democratic nation that is united in its diversity by constantly striving for a fairer society through the promotion of decent work for all. This demonstrates Cameroon's commitment to the global coalition for social justice and reaffirms its dedication to the idea of the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a unified entity capable of fostering common and inclusive development among its members for social justice and decent work.
Way before this signing, the Director General of the ILO was received in an audience by the Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute. His day's journey hinted at a conference by the ILO Director General at the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon (IRIC) in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
We'll come back to this later.
Clément Noumsi
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