Cameroonian Minister of Labor Condemns Beating of Sino Mart Employee in Yaounde
Cameroon's Minister of Labor and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, has strongly condemned the beating of an employee at Sino Mart in Yaounde, calling the act a blatant violation of fundamental worker rights. The statement follows the circulation of a video showing the assault, which has sparked widespread outrage.
In a statement released on May 4, 2026, Minister Owona emphasized that such acts constitute an infringement on the dignity, physical, and moral integrity of workers, as guaranteed by national legislation and international conventions ratified by Cameroon. He reminded employers that they cannot substitute themselves for the law or resort to inhuman or degrading practices in professional relationships.
In response to the situation, the Minister stated that he had given firm instructions to the relevant departments of his ministry, including the Labor Inspectorate, to conduct a thorough investigation. He assured that responsibilities would be rigorously established and that the perpetrators of these acts would be held accountable in accordance with the legal provisions in force. Following the incident, Sino Mart's CEO, Yan Min, and the interpreter, Lizina Tairama, were arrested.
Grégoire Owona also called on all employers to strictly respect decent work standards and urged workers to report any form of abuse or mistreatment. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting workers' rights and promoting a professional environment that respects human dignity. The concept of decent work is central to the fight against poverty and is a key to sustainable development. Cameroon has partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to promote decent work, especially for youth, women and vulnerable people.
Sino Mart is a supermarket chain based in Yaounde. A viral video highlighted the violent incident that occurred in one of their stores, sparking a wave of outrage.
