(Business in Cameroon) - The general strike by urban and interurban transportation workers planned for July 7, 2014 nationwide in Cameroon will not be held following the lifting of the order launched by the Cameroon General Confederation of Transportation Unions the day after the fuel price hike.

The transporters have given a one month deadline to the Cameroonian government to continue negotiations to address woes that have been clearly expressed by union members, particularly the revision of urban and interurban transportation.

Indeed, transporters wish to pass on the 81 and 80 FCfa price increase per litre respectively on premium gasoline and diesel, effective since June 30, 2014, to consumers. The amount of the fee increase demanded by union members, which will have to have government approval (national regulations require that transportation fees be standardised) has not yet been stated.

For the Cameroonian government, where a virtual crusade has been led against the higher cost of living since the February 2008 riots officials have been reticent about the transporters’ grouse fearing generalised inflation in markets and across the production chain.

Apart from the fee increases, transporters are demanding a reduction or cessation of police stops which are often laced with red tape and corruption. This is a longstanding complaint that has never been definitively addressed by the authorities.