Strike action cripples the beer supply, atmosphere remains tense between suppliers and vendors
By Stephen TADAHA
The supply of alcoholic drinks in the Bamboutos, Division, West region, has been crippled by the sit-down strike organized by bartenders in Cameroon to express frustration against the 50% reduction in the amount they earned per crate.
Many vehicles supplying brewery products in the Bamboutos, could hardly be seen in circulation on Monday, October 2, 2023, due to the fact that bartenders unanimously refused to buy their products. A result of a strike decision taken at the end of the month of September 2023 by bartenders in Cameroon under the banner “Collectif des Barmen du Cameroun”
They complain that the Association of Alcoholic Drink Producers, made up of Guinness, Brasseries du Cameroun, and UCB, decided to reduce by 50%, the amount they earned. The rebate amount goes from FCFA 245 to FCFA 122,5 per crate sold.
This reduction went into application at the start of October.
” I was surprised with the decision taken by producers without our consent. How can they get up one morning and divide our profits into two?” questioned a bartender.
“That is why we also decided to go on strike by not buying their products. Let them remain with their products.” added the bartender.
Most of them say the reduction will greatly increase their already existing burdens which include charges such as taxes, rents, water and electricity bills, and many others.
Burdens that might be transferred to final consumers in the near future as they fear might lead to an increase in the price of beer.
” I think this is a strategy to increase the price of beer in Cameroon as has always been the case. Let’s wait and see” a consumer told reporters.
There are fears that if the situation remains tense, beer scarcity may become obvious in the days ahead which might also lead to an increase in prices.
