In March 2023, President Paul Biya signed a decree that increased the monthly basic remuneration of civilian and military personnel by an average of 5.2%.

Building upon this, in February 2024, the government announced an additional 5% raise in the basic monthly salaries of both civilian and military staff, effective from February 1, 2024. This decision was part of a series of measures aimed at preserving purchasing power in response to a 15% hike in fuel prices.

Despite these adjustments, many civil servants have expressed concerns that the increases are insufficient to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. Some have described the recent 5% raise as a “cosmetic measure” that does little to alleviate their financial burdens.

Additionally, in 2023, the government raised the minimum wage from 36,270 CFA francs to 60,000 CFA francs for the majority of workers, aiming to improve the standard of living for low-income earners.

While these efforts indicate the government’s recognition of economic pressures faced by its employees, many workers and analysts believe that more substantial measures are necessary to effectively address the challenges posed by inflation and ensure a meaningful improvement in living standards.