Just days after the provisional closure of the Sino Mart supermarket in Yaounde, another Chinese business has been sealed off in Douala. This is the China U Mi supermarket, located in the Yassa district.
According to local sources, the business is indeed closed, but the official sealing notice was not directly visible. Local residents reported that local authorities proceeded with this closure on May 5.
The official reasons for this closure remain unknown. It is not possible to confirm whether this action was initiated by the Chinese owners themselves, as was mentioned during the closure of Sino Mart in Yaounde.
This closure follows the release of images showing inhumane treatment inflicted on a Cameroonian employee in a Sino Mart supermarket. A video showing an employee being whipped sparked widespread outrage and a swift reaction from the authorities. The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, ordered the closure of the Sino Mart supermarket in Yaounde following the release of this video.
The CEO of Sino Mart, Yan Min, and the interpreter, Lizina Tairama, were arrested. Minister Owona called on all employers to strictly respect decent work standards and urged workers to report any form of abuse or mistreatment.
These events have brought to light other testimonies reporting similar abuse in other companies in Cameroon, particularly in Douala. The Cameroonian Association of Translators and Interpreters of the Chinese Language also reacted, strongly condemning the acts of violence and disassociating itself from the interpreter present during the scene.
The case has taken a judicial turn with the arrest of the supermarket manager, Yan Min. The Cameroonian authorities seem determined to shed light on this case and to punish those responsible for these acts of abuse. This incident raises questions about working conditions and respect for employee rights in certain companies operating in Cameroon.
The closure of China U Mi in Douala comes amid heightened tensions regarding the treatment of employees in Chinese businesses in Cameroon. The investigation into the events at Sino Mart in Yaounde could reveal illegal practices and lead to legal consequences for the companies involved.
These cases could have significant repercussions on trade and diplomatic relations between Cameroon and China.
