Fako Labour Day aftermath: CAAWOTU claims speech barred by organising committee

Members of the Cameroon Agricultural Allied Workers Trade Union (CAAWOTU) claim they were barred from presenting their speech during the commemoration of the 139th edition of the International Labour Day in Fako Division, which was held under the theme “Social Dialogue and Decent Work for a Peaceful Cameroon”.

Speaking to the press during a press briefing on Thursday May 1, 2025 the spokesperson for CAAWOTU who spoke on behalf of the president of the Union, the Education and Training Secretary of CAAWOTU, Hans Bechu explained that they were barred to read their well prepared speech at the grandstand by the organising committee.

“We were prevented from presenting our speech. We noticed they had selected a specific trade union to read the speech, which wasn't supposed to be the case,"

"I even approached the Master of Ceremonies (MC) and informed him we had a prepared speech, but he said the designated speaker had already been chosen and we weren't part of the program." Hans Bechu said.

He opined that the International Labour Day is a day set for workers to bring out their grievances not a day to celebrate.

“It is with a heavy heart that we present this message because year in, year out our speeches are not taken seriously but treated as mere slogans as it is commonly said that Dogs Bark while the Caravan Marches on,”

“Various stakeholders have written several times to the powers that be, no meaningful steps have been taken to proceed with the required administrative procedure”. Part of the speech reads.

He further called on the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Fako to check the excesses of Administrative Authorities who are presently violating the legal instrumental fundamental rights of Cameroon workers.

“The sociopolitical crisis that has been transformed into an armed conflict has become a permanent threat to our lives, job, property, we strongly recommend the institution of a platform of an ‘All Inclusive Dialogue’ to end this crisis and usher an atmosphere of sustainable peace” Hans Bechu added.

A member of the Organising Committee, who wished to remain anonymous, told KNews that CAAWOTU representatives were absent from preparatory meetings, which is why they weren't included in the program. At press time, the head of the Organising Committee had yet to respond to these claims.

BY SNK

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Cross section of CAAWOTU members

Hans Bechu, spokesperson for CAAWOTU during the press briefing