By Ndumbe Bell Gaston in Douala
Striking Dockers of the Douala Ports Authority were confronted by the police who dispersed them for having derailed from an alleged agreement made with the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) of Wouri not to disturb those who wished to carry on with normal duties.
According to reports gathered from sources, the striking dockers were reacting to failed promises made by the administration to improve their conditions of work as per a resolution taken between them after the post-strike settlement of May 2017.
Assembled around their staff representative, the dockers union of GPAC (in French) of PAD listed their grievances such as increasing basic salaries, need for their insurance contracts, family allowances and the 13th month bonuses, among others.
On Friday June 22 the striking dockers were said to be heading towards the management of Douala Ports Authority but they were confronted by the police and dispersed with tear gas.
The Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri, Joseph Bertrand Mache, reacting, declared that “There were some among them who took to intimidating others. We had asked them not to disturb those who wanted to attend to their work, but this was one thing that was not respected. We were obliged to bring in the forces of law and order to send them back. Those who wish to work are inside and those who do not wish are outside”.
It was further explained that the tear gas that was intended to disperse the striking dockers had crossed from the port premises to the nearby Sandaga market creating panic to traders, buyers and others.
Sources held the whole market was abandoned, because according to traders, the smell was pungent and choking. In a nutshell, the dockers strike seems far from over at the time the Minister of Transport was known to be in town.