Brenda Yufeh
5 May 2008
Workers in Cameroon joined their counterpart worldwide last Thursday, May 1st to celebrate the 122 International Labour Day. In Yaounde, the day was marked by a march-past at the 20th May Boulevard during which workers brandished messages which reflected the theme of celebration, their commitment to fight HIV/AIDS, and contribute to the development of the country. The day was celebrated under the theme: "let's avoid accidents and deaths at the workplaces".
The messages displayed by workers will ever remain in the minds of not only their employers, but the government and the population as well. As if to buttress the theme of celebration, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security displayed a banner which reads "The ministry is for zero deaths and accidents at workplaces". Other messages read, "Together let us avoid professional risk at workplaces", "Promoting safety in workplaces for a decent job", "Much safety and health in the workplaces to limit accidents and deaths", etc. Authorities at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security say ensuring safety at workplaces is vital especially as statistics indicate that this year over 300 people have died at their workplaces while some 200 workers have been victims of accidents at workplaces.
While marching-past to band rhythm of the gendarmerie, police and the National Institute of Youth and Sport (INJS), certain enterprises brandished messages which indicated that the safety of their workers is their number one priority. Others assured their workers that they are insured. "Rest Assured, you are Insured", were among the messages shown by insurance companies. Workers were also concerned about some of the pandemic plaguing the work force in Cameroon. As such, they all bar the way against HIV at work places while ensuring 100 per cent health coverage for people living with HIV. Depending on their field of activities, employees waved pertinent messages regarding their profession. Handicapped persons displayed messages which read "avoiding accidents at work places is reducing the number of handicapped person". Those in the music world were out to fight piracy through their messages while transporters revealed that tiredness and excess hours at work kills. In all, the banner which reads "Happy Labour Day" was very prominent.
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