Prime Minister Ngute stresses need to promote social justice to achieve sustainable development ⁰

Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute on Tuesday said there is “urgent” need for the country to enhance social justice in a bid to achieve peace and sustainable development.

Ngute made the remarks at the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO) held in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde, saying that “this vision is in line with ILO goals. We long for more dense, fruitful and mutually beneficial relations with ILO.”

“We are pleased that we have made strides in achieving decent work and social justice in Cameroon. But there are still challenges. The labour market, influenced by new technology, is changing fully. We have to look at the new horizon with optimism and determination.” Ngute said.

He added that in the next seven years, Cameroon intends to reform its social security system and work towards improving working conditions for all, by creating more jobs, tackling poverty, and reducing inequality.

Labour unions expressed the need for a legally-binding convention that will protect workers, enhance capacity building, increase investment on labour market, and promote decent work in the country.

“We have asked the government to ensure that all owners of enterprises should sign this convention that obliges them to respect and protect the workers’ rights. This is something that, if executed, will significantly help the president of the republic achieve his goal to make Cameroon an emerging nation by 2035,” Jean Abessala, a trade unionist said.

Xinhuanet