THE CHALLENGES OF THE CONCEPT OF WORKING FROM HOME UNDER THE SPECTRUM OF THE CAMEROONIAN LABOUR LAW

Abstract

The drastic evolution in technology is one powerful reason why most jobs across the globe are performed with efficiency. The outbreak of the Corona Virus Pandemic across the globe in 2019 forced most labour sectors in developing countries like Cameroon to resort to telework  therefore maturing the concept of ‘Working From Home’ (WFH). As a new concept, WFH has many advantages both to the employer and employee but still remains a nightmare for the legislator because labour laws across most developing countries like Cameroon do not guarantee the rights of workers when WFH. This research was carried out using the empirical research method and data has been analyzed to great extents by making use of the quantitative and qualitative data analyses models. These models have been properly developed through the administration of questionnaires across a section of the Cameroon population in Yaoundé. The results of this methodology showed that: the employee while WFH suffers from isolation, psychological, mental and physical health trauma; employee’s rights such as right to leave, rest, safety, privacy, allowance, remunerations, insurance etc are constantly violated and go unprotected because labour legislations provide little or no remedies for those WFH. It is incumbent therefore for law makers in developing countries like the case of Cameroon to act fast to remedy the situation by revising labour legislations to guarantee workers’ rights while WFH, sensitize workers about their rights and encourage research in this area