2: Expression of the Freedom of Trade Union
213- Government intended to update the trade unions card index since October 2015 162 to
have an updated inventory of professional organizations for a better organization of social
dialogue. The operation helped identify 717 trade unions and 12 employers’ confederations in
2018. Besides, the employers’ representation mechanisms were effective. In this regard, 7,480
staff delegates affiliated to 11 trade union federations were chosen following elections
organised on 1 March and 8 April 2016 nationwide163.
§3: Protection of Workers against Wrongful, Unjust, unjustified
Termination and Forced Resignation
214- The information contained in the previous Report (§210-213) is still relevant. However,
it should be noted that courts sitting on labour matters regularly ruled on matters of wrongful
dismissal. In cases, for example, where workers formerly linked to an enterprise by an openended contract, refused following the change of the form of the enterprise to a private limited
company, to sign fixed term contracts proposed to them by the employer, the Court of Appeal
of the North holden at Garoua held that in fact it was a dismissal164, considering that
substantial amendments to employment contracts should be negotiated and during the
negotiations, common ground should be reached by the parties by mutual agreement 165.
215- The non-compliance with procedural formalities in matters of dismissal was also
sanctioned by the courts. The Court of Appeal of the Adamawa holden at Ngaoundere upheld
a judgment of the trial court that had considered that a letter notifying the worker that he was
no longer a staff of the company was a letter of dismissal served on him in violation of the
provisions of section 34166 of the Labour Code.
Section 3: Right to Health (REC. 14 to 18)
216- During the reporting period the strategic framework for the health sector was
strengthened. Government took measures to improve on the availability of and accessibility to
healthcare services including sexual and reproductive health. The control of diseases was also
a priority.
§1: Strategic Framework
217- Progress was made concerning the strategic framework as a new Health Sector Strategy
(HSS) (2016-2027) was validated on 27 June 2017. The National Health Development Plan
162
36 trade unions were formed in 2013, 12 in 2014, and 27 in 2015.
Order No. 2016/101/MINTSS/SG of 11 July 2016 to lay down the national classification of the confederation
of trade unions.
164
Court of Appeal of the North (Garoua), Judgment No. 6/SOC of 1 September 2016 in the matter between La
Pharmacie de Garoua SARL and Moussa Tanko; Judgment No. 7/SOC of 1 September 2016 in the matter
between La Pharmacie de Garoua SARL and Djayou Oumarou; Judgment No. 9/SOC of 1 September 2016 in
the matter between La Pharmacie de Garoua sarl and Djikam Rikiatou.
165
Court of Appeal of the North (Garoua), Judgment No. 6/SOC of 1 September 2016 in the matter between La
Pharmacie de Garoua SARL and Moussa Tanko.
166
Judgment No. 21/SOC of 6 July 2015 delivered by the Court of Appeal of the Adamawa in the matter
between the Secrétariat à l’Education de l’Eglise Evangélique et Luthérienne du Cameroun (SEDUC-EELC)
and Adamou Silas. Court of Appeal Judgment upholding Judgment No. 9/SOC of 23 April 2013 delivered by
the High Court of Vina holden at Ngaoundere. The employer was convicted and ordered to pay Plaintiff
damages for wrongful termination and issue him a labour certificate. See also Judgment No. 22/SOC of 6 July
2015 by the same Court of Appeal in the matter between Yakoubou Paul and Secrétariat à l’Education de
l’Eglise Evangélique et Luthérienne du Cameroun (SEDUC-EELC).
163
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