Cameroon: National Labour Consultative Committee calls for a 55 per cent increase in child benefit

The National Labour Consultative Committee has proposed a 55 per cent increase in child benefit allowance, a move from 1800 CFA Francs to 2800 CFA Francs. Following the Head of State’s speech on 31st December 2015 to increase child benefit, the committee met in Yaounde on the 14th of January 2016, to decide on the new value. After a much heated debate that did involve the Minister of Finance, Alamine Ousmane Mey and the General Manager of the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS), Alain Olivier Noel Mekulu Mvondo, the labour union leaders unanimously agreed that the 1000 CFA Francs increment which they had initially considered was small. 

The Committee Chair and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona indicated the proposal will be given to the Prime Minister and later forwarded to the Head of State, H.E. Paul Biya. The National Labour Consultative Committee also suggested the next increment should not tarry as was the case with the last rate of 1800 CFA Francs which was decided as far back as 2nd August 1985. Minister Gregoire Owona assured the committee members that Government will put in much effort to meet up with their labour demands.