Cameroon Employment Guide
Cameroon Employment Guide
Cameroon, located in Central Africa, has a population of around 28 million. Its economy is diverse, with agriculture, oil, timber, and services as key sectors. Employment in Cameroon is regulated by the Labor Code, which covers employment contracts, working hours, paid leave, social security contributions, and employee rights. Employers must comply with tax and social security obligations, and labor laws emphasize non-discrimination and safe working conditions. Work permits are required for foreign employees.
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Currency
Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Capital
Yaoundé
Official language
French, English
Salary Cycle
Monthly
Our Employment Guide in Cameroon
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Minimum Wage Regulations in Cameroon
Cameroon's minimum wage structure is sector-specific, with varying rates across different industries. For companies like SailGlobal operating in the standard commercial sector, the mandated monthly minimum wage stands at 60,000 XAF. This baseline compensation ensures fair remuneration while accounting for industry-specific economic factors.
Personal Income Tax Framework
Cameroon employs a progressive income tax system where rates escalate with higher earnings. This approach balances revenue generation with taxpayer capacity, ranging from a modest 11% for lower income brackets to 38.5% for top earners.
| Annual Income Bracket (XAF) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 2,000,000 | 11% |
| 2,000,001 - 3,000,000 | 16.5% |
| 3,000,001 - 5,000,000 | 27.5% |
| Over 5,000,000 | 38.5% |
Employer Cost Considerations
Beyond base salaries, employers should anticipate additional payroll expenses averaging 15.45% of gross salary. These mandatory contributions support Cameroon's social security framework and workforce development initiatives.
- Pension Insurance: 4.20%
- Occupational Accident Coverage: 1.75%
- Family Benefits Fund: 7.00%
- National Housing Loan Contribution: 1.50%
- National Employment Fund: 1.00%
Additionally, companies typically provide a 13th-month salary payment at year-end, a common practice in Cameroon's compensation landscape.
Working Hours and Overtime Provisions
Cameroon's labor code establishes clear parameters for working time, defining standard work periods as 8 hours daily or 40 hours weekly. The conventional workweek runs Monday through Friday, with night work classified as any duty performed between 10 PM and 6 AM.
Overtime compensation follows a structured premium system:
- First 8 overtime hours: 120% of standard hourly rate
- Subsequent 8 hours: 130% of standard rate
- Sunday work: 140% premium
- Night overtime: 150% additional compensation
- Emergency/non-working day overtime: 150% premium
Regulations cap maximum overtime at 20 hours weekly or 10 hours daily to protect worker wellbeing.
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