Cameroonian public works company Routd’Af said it has paid 10 months of wages out of 12 so far in 2025, after a viral social media video showed workers protesting over unpaid salaries.
The footage, widely shared by influencers, was accompanied by claims that employees had gone 11 consecutive months without pay. Management disputes that account but acknowledges outstanding salary arrears.
In a statement, Routd’Af said it is facing a difficult economic environment that has weighed on its operations and finances, resulting in the build-up of salary arrears. The company described the situation as “unacceptable” and said it recognizes the hardship faced by employees and their families.
A company executive said the figures circulating online were misleading. “In fact, this refers to 11 months of unpaid salaries accumulated over several years, not 11 consecutive months without pay,” the executive said. According to the source, salary payments have been more consistent this year. “For 2025, employees have received 10 months of salary to date.”
Routd’Af said it remains fully committed to meeting its legal obligations on wage payments. It added that it launched an arrears repayment plan in 2020 and has been implementing it progressively, with the aim of clearing all outstanding payments.
The company, which employs about 350 people, thanked staff for their professionalism and patience, while acknowledging that trust must be backed by swift and concrete action. It said it intends to maintain open and transparent dialogue with employee representatives to safeguard workers’ dignity.
Routd’Af is part of a small group of companies that work exclusively for the government. Its difficulties have come to light amid broader strains affecting such firms. Despite ongoing clearance efforts, overdue government payments to private-sector companies exceeding three months stood at 387.8 billion CFA francs. While the data is not broken down by company, multiple reports indicate that the construction sector has been among the hardest hit.
Baudouin Enama
