Absenteeism Crisis: Cameroon Implements Dismissal Policy for Public Servants

This decision follows the revelation that 8,766 cases of irregular absenteeism have been recorded in the public sector since the beginning of the year, with 7,133 of these absences deemed unjustified.

Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute's recent directive, announced after a cabinet meeting on July 25, 2024, aims to address the severe impact of absenteeism on public service efficiency. The frequent absences of civil servants are seen as a major contributor to delays in administrative processes and a general decline in public service performance. The government's new policy is a bid to combat this issue head-on, but the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain.

While the government attributes absenteeism to individual negligence, opposition groups argue that the problem is deeply rooted in broader economic and structural issues. They suggest that the real cause of absenteeism is not mere laziness but rather the low wages and poor working conditions faced by public servants.

Historically, public sector wages in Cameroon were significantly reduced during the economic crisis of 1993. Despite some adjustments in subsequent years, salary increases have not kept pace with national economic growth or inflation. This disparity, according to critics, forces many civil servants to seek additional sources of income, often leading to absenteeism.

Opposition figures advocate for salary increases as a more effective solution to absenteeism. They argue that improving compensation and working conditions would address the root causes of the problem, rather than merely punishing the symptoms.

Cameroon is not alone in grappling with public sector absenteeism. In January, Mali's Minister of Labor, Fassoum Coulibaly, criticized public servants for what he described as truancy. Similarly, Burkina Faso’s transitional President Ibrahim Traoré vowed to take action against public employees whom he accused of treating their jobs as a "life insurance."

In Gabon, the government is considering implementing a time-keeping system to track attendance more rigorously. However, these measures are often reactive and may not address the underlying causes of absenteeism. 

Reports from Guinea and Burundi reveal that some public servant salaries continue to be paid even after their death, highlighting severe flaws in payroll management.

Upon Joseph Dion Ngute’s appointment as Prime Minister, a major audit revealed approximately 10,000 fictitious public servants. This discovery led to a reduction of the payroll by 30 billion CFA francs, underscoring significant issues in payroll integrity and management.

The Cameroonian government’s latest policy targeting absenteeism is a step towards addressing a persistent issue. However, without tackling the deeper economic and systemic factors, such as low wages and inadequate working conditions, the effectiveness of these measures may be limited. As Cameroon joins other nations in grappling with similar challenges, the need for comprehensive reform in public sector management remains evident.