Cameroon: IFJ welcomes Collective Agreement in the media

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed the signing last November of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for journalists and media workers in Cameroon.

In a letter to the Prime Ministre of Cameroon on Wednesday, the IFJ expressed « confidence that the implementation of the agreement will contribute to the professionalisation of the media sector and to the promotion of ethics in the media in Cameroon. »

In July 2005, journalists’ unions and media employers started negotiations which, after three years of difficulties have produced the desired results on November 12, 2008 to organise and improve relationships between working journalists, media workers and employers.

« This agreement is a prerequisite for the improvement of conditions of life and service in the media businesses » said Jean Marc Soboth, President of the National Union of Cameroon Journalists.

The IFJ, which represents the unions of journalists in the world, calls on the Government and the employers to fast track the implementation of the agreement in order to ensure the professionalization of the media sector in Cameroon.