THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS RIGHTS IN CAMEROON; CASE STUDY OF SYNES

ABSTRACT

Workers rights both in Cameroon and the world at large are often trampled on by their employers. These employers hardly face consequences for trampling on the rights of workers and they put these workers though gross labor in order to earn a living and the workers have nowhere to report these issues and as such continue to do whatever it is that their employer asks them to do because of the fear of getting sacked. It was due to the afore mentioned condition that trade unions were created. Trade unions were created to protect the rights of all workers and to ensure good working conditions for all workers.

In Cameroon, trade unions are governed by both National laws and International Conventions. Under national laws, the Constitution and the Labor code protects the rights of workers and under international Conventions, the UDHR (Universal declaration of human rights), ILO (International Labor Organization), International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Right, (ICESCR).

The research method used in this work is purely doctrinal which is commonly used in law. This research adopts the qualitative method. This method is suitable for this research because it analysis the problem and does not make use of statistical data. The sources of data here are both primary and secondary data.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

• INTRODUCTION

Trade unions in Cameroon were formed to protect the workers rights as well as to fight against poverty of workers, their exploitation, the violation of their basic human rights and to promote justice. Trade Unions operate under the laws provided by the Labor code, the constitution, ILO, UDHR, ICESCR which are all enforceable by the court. However, in spite the implementation of all these laws, workers rights are still being violated in Cameroon. This therefore gives rise to carry out a research or investigation on the role of Trade unions in Cameroon in the protection of workers rights.

• BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Trade Unions are organizations which are formed for the protection of workers rights. It originated in Great Britain and it became very popular in many countries during the industrial revolution. Trade unions maybe composed of workers, past workers, students, and apprentices.

In 1919, the first trade union for black workers came into being and it was called the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU). It was formed by Clemens Kadale and some dockworkers. The ICU grew so quickly around the 1920s and had around 100,000 (One hundred thousand) members. However by 1930, the ICU collapsed because trouble broke out amongst the officials of the ICU.

The ICU was not an utter failure because not far after its downfall, other African nations began to form trade unions as well.

By the end of the 19th century, International community saw the effect of forced labor on the people and as such, conventions were put in place to see how labourers can be protected in their workplace.

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They equally encouraged the people to join trade unions as it was their right as well as the right to strike as a means of protecting their rights.

Some of these conventions after their establishment were adopted by various countries especially Cameroon.   The National Union of Cameroon workers OR the UNTC, which is historically associated with the Cameroons People Democratic Movement (CPDM) was the first and only trade union in Cameroon until 1945 when the Union of  Free Trade Unions was formed.

The trade unions of the country operate mainly under the Federation of trade unions in Cameroon, the constitution and the labor code. Trade unions in Cameroon play a very important role in influencing commercial practices, and assisting the work force of the nation.

The constitution and the labor code recognizes workers right to strike but only after mandatory arbitration has taken place.

At the national level, Cameroon has ratified and put in place this law No 97/001 of 14 August 1992, drafting of the Cameroon Labor code, and also the preamble of the Cameroonian constitution equally ratify these conventions.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite the fact that trade unions exist for the benefit of workers, they do not exist without problems. Trade unions are faced with some common problems. Some of these problems are; the workers in many situations do not show concern towards the union and are mostly poor. Also, the finances of the trade union is very weak in many instances seeing as the subscription rate is low and workers do not pay on time and in most cases, terms of the union may not reflect the opinion of its members and as such these members become reluctant in participating effectively.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONSThis research is geared at answering the following questions;

• How far has the role of trade unions profited the workers in Cameroon
• Asides from trade Union, what other measures has been taken by the government to ensure the protection of workers rights in Cameroon
• To what extent has national and international institutions and conventions ensured the protection of workers rights