The Interprofessional Group of Cameroon (Gicam), has reported in its Global Business Survey (EGE) 2020 that it has lost 35,649 permanent jobs between 2019 and 2020. The number fell by 15% from 221,075 to 185,427.

In the primary sector, 1,327 permanent jobs were lost (from 48,707 in 2019 to 47,380 in 2020); the secondary sector lost 15,439 jobs (64,457 in 2019 and 49,018 in 2020) and the services sector lost 18,883 jobs (from 107,911 to 89,028). The decline mostly affected large companies. Permanent jobs in those companies fell from 196,034 to 159,124 (-36,910) while SMEs gained 1,260 permanent jobs, from 25,042 to 26,302.

Gicam, the main employers' organization in Cameroon, accounts for 74.9% of the turnover of modern businesses in Cameroon, compared to 76.8% in 2019. It also accounts for 74.6% of tax revenues and more than 40% of the state budget. The group has 409 direct members representing companies, organizations, and unions that pay dues directly to it. There are also 322 indirect members, representing companies that do not pay dues directly to the group but belong to an organization or union that does.

Let’s recall that the Global Business Survey is an annual program that gathers all the data collection activities of Gicam commissions. "Data were collected from Gicam member companies. 203 companies were successfully surveyed, representing 50% of members," the group explained.

D.M.