Working at 16 in Cameroon: What the Law Says

In Cameroon, thousands of young people aged 14-17 are already working — in markets, as delivery runners, as helpers in family businesses. But what does the law actually say? The Cameroonian Labor Code (Law No. 92/007 of August 14, 1992) strictly regulates youth employment to protect their health, safety, and education.

This article clearly explains what is allowed, what is prohibited, and how a 16-year-old can work legally while staying protected. If you're a parent or a young worker, this information is essential.

Article 86 of the Cameroonian Labor Code (Law No. 92/007 of 14 August 1992) sets the following rules:

• 14 years: minimum age for light work that does not harm the child's health, development, or schooling.
• 16 years: age at which a minor can be employed in most sectors, with written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
• 18 years: full working capacity — no minority-related restrictions.

Order No. 17 of May 27, 1969 specifies the list of dangerous work prohibited for those under 18. Penalties for employers who violate these rules range from 50,000 to 500,000 FCFA in fines, with possible imprisonment for repeat offenders.

Cameroon has also ratified ILO Convention No. 138 on minimum age for employment (2001) and Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor (2002).

The law clearly distinguishes allowed work from prohibited work:

Allowed work (14-15 years — light work):

• Running errands in the neighborhood
• Helping in the family business (selling, organizing, inventory)
• Light domestic chores
• Distributing flyers or documents

Allowed work (16-17 years — supervised employment):

• Delivery on foot or by bicycle (no motorcycle)
• General help: unpacking, organizing, light cleaning
• Babysitting under supervision
• Event assistance (setup, service)
• Light agricultural work

Strictly prohibited before 18:

• Night work (between 10pm and 6am)
• Working at heights, operating dangerous machinery
• Carrying heavy loads (over 15 kg for boys, 10 kg for girls)
• Work in mines, quarries, chemical plants
• Any work harmful to physical or moral health

For a 16-17 year old to work legally in Cameroon, several conditions must be met:

• Written consent: a parent or legal guardian must give written permission. This document must mention the employer's name, nature of work, and schedule.
• Medical examination: a medical fitness certificate is theoretically required. In practice, this is rarely enforced in the informal sector, but it protects the young worker.
• Limited hours: a minor cannot work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Overtime is prohibited.
• Mandatory rest: at least 12 consecutive hours of rest between workdays, plus one full weekly rest day.

In practice, in Cameroon's informal economy, these formalities are often ignored. No platform can complete these formalities for you: it is up to the parents, the young person and the employer to respect them. A simple signed note stating the nature of the work, the hours and the agreed amount already protects everyone.

The law sets the framework, but a young worker's safety is mostly decided on the ground. Here are the practical rules to apply before and during every job:

• Meet the employer with a parent: for a first job, the parent or guardian goes with the young person to the first meeting and sees the workplace.
• Put the hours and the amount in writing: a WhatsApp message or a signed note stating the task, the hours (never more than 8 hours a day) and the agreed pay.
• Never work at night: nothing between 10pm and 6am before 18. Also refuse heavy loads, work at heights and dangerous machinery.
• Check the employer: ask for their full name and the exact address of the job, and ask neighbors or people who have already worked for them.
• Keep a record of payments: preferably via Mobile Money, on an account the parent can follow.

What SangoServices offers, and what it does not do. SangoServices is a free directory of workers: every phone number is verified by SMS, employers contact the worker directly by WhatsApp or phone, and the platform takes no commission — payment is made directly between the employer and the worker. An optional identity check (ID and selfie reviewed by the team) gives the worker the "ID verified" badge. However, SangoServices does not verify users' ages, does not filter jobs by age and does not monitor working hours: complying with the Labor Code remains the responsibility of parents and employers.

If you're a parent of a 16-17 year old who wants to work, here are our recommendations:

• Guide the first job: help your child choose work suited to their age and abilities. Errands and walking delivery are excellent first jobs.
• Set clear limits: maximum 4 hours per day during school term, 6 hours during holidays. Education must remain the priority.
• Check the employer: when an employer contacts your child, ask who they are, where the work will take place and for how much, and go together the first time.
• Open a Mobile Money account: MTN MoMo or Orange Money let your child receive payments securely.

If you're a young worker: never accept a job that puts you in danger, prevents you from going to school, or requires you to work at night. Your rights are protected by law.

Create your free SangoServices profile so employers in your neighborhood can contact you directly — and if you are under 18, talk to your parents first.