Census workers in Douala III, in Cameroon's Littoral region, began a strike this Friday in Logbaba to protest the non-payment of their bonuses and allowances. The protesters gathered in front of administrative offices, denouncing payment delays that have persisted for several weeks after the start of census operations in the field.
The agents claim to have worked in difficult conditions, often late into the night, while covering their own travel, food, and communication expenses. Some protesters said they had contacted local authorities repeatedly, but without success.
Several agents expressed their frustration to journalists and passersby. Some stated that they were struggling to pay their rent, had accumulated debts, and were facing serious financial difficulties. One female census worker said she had taken out loans in the hope of being paid promptly after the census.
The striking agents claim to have met with administrative officials to seek explanations, but no specific payment schedule has been communicated so far.
Cameroon has deployed more than 355,000 field workers for its fourth General Population and Housing Census, combined with an agriculture and livestock survey, which began on April 24 and is scheduled to end on May 29, 2026. The census aims to update Cameroon's socio-demographic and agropastoral data, serving as a key statistical reference for development planning and public policy design.
In February 2026, the Cameroonian government announced a partnership with MTN and Orange to facilitate the electronic payment of more than 30,000 agents involved in the censuses via mobile money platforms. This initiative was intended to ensure smooth payment to agents and address shortcomings in existing payment systems.
Similar payment delays and difficult working conditions have been reported during previous censuses in Cameroon. In 2018, the government suspended the salaries of 25,000 ghost civil servants, saving millions of dollars. In 2006, 45,000 ghost workers were discovered in the Cameroonian public service.
The current situation highlights the challenges of managing and compensating a large number of field agents, as well as the need for greater transparency and effective communication between authorities and census workers.
