
HR at a Glace in Cameroon

Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Yaoundé
GMT+1
Cameroon, also known as the Republic of Cameroon, is strategically placed at the crossroads of West Africa and Central Africa. The country is home to nearly 27 million people and is known as “Africa in miniature” due to its diverse geography, languages and cultures. Yaoundé is Cameroon’s political capital, while Douala is its largest city and economic hub.
Cameroon spans an area of around 475,442 square kilometers and is bordered to the west and north by Nigeria, the northeast by Chad and the east by the Central African Republic and the south by Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. Its coastline is situated along the Bight of Biafra, which is part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cameroon’s southern region is characterized by a humid and equatorial climate with temperatures ranging between 20-25°C (68-77°F). The wettest areas receive over 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) of rainfall every month. In contrast, the northern region of Cameroon is semiarid and arid, with temperatures typically ranging between 25-30°C (77-86°F).
Cameroon boasts a rich and diverse culture, encompassing approximately 250 indigenous groups with their own languages and customs. The country’s geographical features are also incredibly diverse, with all of Africa’s landscapes represented within Cameroon’s borders. This contributes to the cultural variety found in the country, where lifestyles, traditional cuisine and customs vary from region to region.
Cameroon is home to a significant degree of religious diversity and freedom. Christianity is the dominant religion, with over two-thirds of the population identifying as Christian. Islam is also a substantial minority religion, practiced by approximately one-fourth of the population.
Cameroon has two official languages, English and French, but French is by far the most commonly understood, with almost 80% of the population speaking it. In addition, nearly 20 million Cameroonians speak approximately 250 other languages, making the country one of the most linguistically diverse nations in the world.
Employment contracts may be established either verbally or in writing, with both fixed-term and indefinite-term contracts being allowed. However, if a fixed-term contract exceeds three months or requires the employee to relocate from their usual residence, it must be in written form. A copy of the contract must also be sent to the local Labor Inspector.
If a working relationship continues beyond the end of a fixed-term contract, the contract must be transformed into an indefinite-term contract. The following types of contracts are considered fixed-term but cannot be renewed:
If a foreign national is engaged on a fixed-term contract, the contract can only be renewed after receiving an endorsement from the minister responsible for labor.
According to Cameroonian labor law, all non-agricultural public and private establishments must not have a workweek exceeding 40 hours or a work month exceeding 173 hours.
In addition, employees are entitled to a rest day each week, which must be for a minimum of 24 consecutive hours.
Medical check-ups are mandated by law. It must take place within three months of the employee’s probation period.
Employers in Cameroon have the right to end a permanent employment contract by giving notice or making a payment in lieu of notice. This notice must be in writing and provide a clear reason for the termination. The duration of the notice period is determined by the employee’s professional category and length of service, ranging from one month to four months.
After receiving notice, the employee is entitled to two paid days off per week to look for a new job. This ensures that the employee has enough time and resources to find new employment opportunities.
Cameroonian law does not prohibit employers from conducting background checks, including criminal records and medical history.
In Cameroon, any hours worked beyond the regular 40-hour workweek are considered overtime and are compensated as follows:
During regular work hours:
On Sundays, any overtime hours worked are compensated at 50% of the employee’s hourly wage.
On public holidays, any overtime hours worked are compensated at 50% of the employee’s hourly wage.
Unless a more advantageous practice applies, at the end of the year, every employee with twelve months of seniority in the organization will be granted an allowance known as the thirteenth-month allowance, equivalent to one month of category salary, increased by the seniority bonus.
This allowance will be determined pro-rata for employees with less than twelve months of service.
Employment contracts can include non-competition covenants, as there is no law prohibiting them.
The probation period for an employee in Cameroon cannot exceed six months, including any renewals. However, if the employee is a manager, the duration may be extended up to eight months.
The probation period may be renewed once but only with the employee’s written approval before the initial trial period expires. If the employee does not give written consent, the probation period is considered complete and the employee is deemed to have been hired permanently.
Employers in Cameroon are obligated to maintain and regularly update a register at the workplace called the “employer’s register.” This register must contain information that allows labor and social insurance agencies to conduct an inspection.
If either party wishes to terminate an indefinite-term contract, they must provide prior notice or payment in lieu. The notice must be in writing and state the reason.
The legality of the termination depends on the circumstances, and if challenged in court, the employer must prove that it was for a valid reason, such as gross misconduct or redundancy. Fixed-term contracts cannot be terminated before their expiry except for gross misconduct, force majeure, or with written consent from both parties.
Certain groups of employees are protected from dismissal, including pregnant women, worker’s representatives, trade union officials and employees on sick leave.
There is no specific data protection law in Cameroon. However, legal protection on data protection is found in several laws, including the Constitution and the Law on Electronic Communications.
Visas
To enter Cameroon, most foreign nationals need to obtain a visa from a Cameroonian embassy or consulate. However, citizens of the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria can enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days. Some citizens of specific countries can obtain a visa on arrival, while others need to contact the embassy or consulate of Cameroon before departure to learn about the visa requirements and application process.
Cameroon provides various types of visas for different purposes such as tourism, business, study, transit, and volunteering. The duration of the visa can be up to six months. If a foreigner wishes to stay longer, they need to apply for a Cameroon residence permit.
Work Permits
Before beginning employment, foreign nationals must obtain approval from the Minister in charge of Labor. The employer is responsible for submitting the endorsement request. If the endorsement is denied, the contract becomes void. If there is no response from the Minister of Labor within two months of receiving the application, the contract is assumed to be endorsed.
To work in Cameroon, a foreign national must first obtain a work visa, then apply for a residence permit. He or she will also need a letter of invitation from their employer, which must contain details such as the duration of the work and the financial and legal responsibilities. The employment contract must be legalized and signed by the Minister of Labor and Social Security in Cameroon.
Occasion | Date | |
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1. | New Year’s Day | 01.Jan.2024 |
2. | New Year Holiday | 02.Jan.2024 |
3. | Youth Day | 11.Feb.2024 |
4. | Good Friday | 07.Apr.2024 |
5. | Djouldé Soumaé | 21.Apr.2024 |
6. | Labor Day | 01.May.2024 |
7. | Ascension Day | 18.May.2024 |
8. | National Day | 20.May.2024 |
9. | Tabaski | 28.Jun.2024 |
10. | Assumption Day | 15.Aug.2024 |
11. | Christmas Day | 25.Dec.2024 |