Kribi deep seaport workers say Chinese employers treat them like animals

This is one of the points on their protest chart. They are suffering working with their Chinese employers who are allegedly torturing them, “In our own country,” one explained.

The Kribi Deep Seaport laborers embarked on the strike on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, and are determined to get what they want.

“They have taken us as animals, treating us very badly. We don’t feed well here to carry out hectic tasks.” A worker said in a protest video.

Apart from this, they are poorly paid, making their living conditions precarious. ” Category A workers here are paid about 2,500frs daily, this is very poor,” another laborer said.

To appease the protesters who have refused to resume work until their plights are addressed, Cameroon’s Minister of employment and vocational training, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has assured them that he will take measures favoring Cameroonian workers. Foreigners recruited with incomplete employment formalities will be sent off, the Minister assured.

“We will ensure that all foreigners who have been working at the Kribi Deep Seaport for a while are in regular situation. Before I sign any contract, they must show that many Cameroonians have been recruited as they requested a visa. So, I will make sure that if a foreigner is working, there is a Cameroonian by him who is being trained to replace him after the two or three years granted to him. In case they refuse to comply, we will drive them out of our country Cameroon.” Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said after a working session.

The former Communication Minister recommended that Cameroonians should be lifted high in their nation and be made proud of their government for fighting for their rights.