Quarry workers Expose Their Suffering.
The population of Balemba especially the youths trying to earn a living through the sales of sand at Sekam recently have accused the Yaounde authorities of economic exploitation while they kill themselves in the village.
According to the youths, who work in a synergy as divers, loaders and off loaders in their sand industry, the amount of money received a day is lesser than the work put in.
Abianga Hans Josue, owner of over seven canoes and also an off loader mentioned “Those in Yaounde come and collect all the money while we have nothing. I make a canoe for 100000 FCFA only to earn 5000 FCFA at the end of the day.”
Despite their efforts to satisfy their customers, the sand removed from the water is very discouraging “We have difficulties working daily because the sand is insufficient. Those divers can only find low quality ones that does not conform to the demands of the population. Cameroonians are in need of good quality and clean sand that looks like grain of rice.”
A truck of sand sold at 17.000 FCFA takes at least 10 canoes of it. This money is divided in relation to the task executed by the workers. The divers who get into the water and risk their lives are usually the head of the team. He makes 15000 FCFA after loading three canoes. The truck loaders are paid the sum of 5000FCFA per truck while the off loaders are paid 1300 FCFA. Abianga Hans Josue pointed out.
Those working at the quarry are scare of health risk after carrying out the said activities on daily bases.
By Takang Bisong
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