Non civil servants are expected to become the most hard-hit following the announced increase in fuel prices in Cameroon. The increase which goes underway this February 1, 2023 was announced by the Secretary General at the prime Minister’s office, Fouda Seraphin Magloire, January 31, 2023.
Government, he noted, had consulted social partners for “constructive exchanges …. Faced with the rise in price of petroleum products on the international market.” It was at this session that a series of decisions were taken.
Among them, was that to set the price of premium grade petrol at 730 FCFA per litre, gasoil at 720 FCFA per litre and petrol sold by SCDP to industries 560.19 FCFA per litre. Unlike petrol and gas, the price of kerosene and cooking gas, remain constant. Kerosene still goes for 350 FCFA a litre, and a 12.5kg gas cylinder, at 6,500 FCFA.
Following the increase in fuel prices, government also announced a 5.2% rise in the salaries of civil servants, given the expected rise in cost of living. In the same document, Fouda Seraphin Magloire also announced a proposal to increase in the minimum wage. The figure which has for years stood at 36,270, the official noted is planned to be raised to 41,875 FCFA.
“The proposal will be reviewed with trade unions under the national labour advisory board…”
Despite these increases, many fear the sums will not be enough to cater for the rise in fuel prices as well as other commodities that have risen steadily over the past months. Unlike civil servants however, workers in the informal sector have little or no hope to fall back on.
It remains uncertain if taxi drivers and traveling agencies would raise transportation costs to cater for the rise in fuel prices.
Poise Social
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