Labour Day Celebrations: How Workers Smile Broadly, Yet Suffer

Labour Day Parade At the Bamenda Commercial Avenue 

By Raymond Dingana

On May 1, 2026, workers in Bamenda despite working under precarious conditions, gathered at the Bamenda Commercial Avenue Grandstand to commemorate International Labour Day with the theme: Social Dialogue and Decent Work, Factor of Peace, National Cohesion and Economic Development of the Company.

Seeing them dressed in the beautiful colours they carried that day, one would think everything was fine. However, many had gone to celebrate Labour Day despite months of unpaid salaries, yet they still showed up at the ceremonial ground early in the morning, smiling widely while clearly enduring hardship.

Among those walking past the grandstand with smiles were members of the transport sector. One of their leaders could be seen marching military style with as if all were well. Transport workers say they face daily challenges that have not been addressed since they began raising them.

The 2026 edition of Labour Day, they say, was once again an opportunity to speak out loudly though not expecting any meaningful results as usual.

Being a day for workers, the President of the Confederation of Trade Unions, (CCTU) North West, Mr Tatisong Nzounkekang Erick pointed out  the painful realities of workers in Bamenda, and the North West Region of Cameroon.

“We have several complaints of harassment from transport workers, passengers, and students by some uniformed officers. These officers often use force to search our phones for reasons we do not understand,” 

said CCTU NW President.

President Of CCTU NW, Tatisong Nzounkekang Erick At The Commercial Avenue Grandstand 

He added that they are expecting to see changes in that area, and that uniformed officers should ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers, and not extorting and harassing them.

Tatisong aka Stinko also highlighted the welfare of nurses, who are exposed to health and biological hazards and other risks at work.

 “Nursing students who work night shifts lack adequate safety equipment, which exposes them to diseases such as HIV and others. They handle waste without gloves or facemasks because the institutions say they are there on a temporary basis.”

He insisted that workers’ safety should be prioritised because workers are the “engine” of workplaces.

The story of young people who take it upon themselves to clean the streets of Bamenda was also shared. It was revealed that these youths mostly women lack job security and, at times, do not receive salaries, yet they work day and night.

Did the North West Administration Ignore the Worries Raised by Workers?

Barely days after celebrating Labour Day, little appears to be changing. Police and Gendarmerie officers have not stopped harassing transporters and other road users, observers have warned.

They pointed to what they described as collection points in Bamenda where harassment of road users by men and women in uniform continues without restraint. This has raised questions about whether workers’ cries have fallen on deaf ears or if action will be taken so that the same issues do not resurface next Labour Day.

Facing the Press after the event, North West Governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique appreciated the workers for giving the grandeur it deserves. However, he didn't assure the workers that all the difficulties they are facing that were presented through their various trade unions. This has raised fears that all the challenges presented on that might have fallen on deaf ears.

Governor Lele Lafrique 

While workers in Cameroon return to almost the same conditions they had before Labour Day, calls are growing from society watchers for authorities not to treat Labour Day as just a day for people to march, eat, drink, and dance,only to go back to the same poor working conditions, and harassment by security force.

According to them, if nothing changes even after raising these concerns during Labour Day, then celebrating the day in Cameroon is meaningless, and an insult to the struggle workers of Cameron,and should not continuously be celebrated.