THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF WORKERS IN CAMEROON

Abstract

A labour or trade union is defined as an everlasting partnership created by workers or salary earners for the aim of preserving or ameliorating their working conditions. The Standard Economic and the Industrial Democracy theories were used to form the theoretical framework of the study. The main objective of this study is to investigate the role trade unions play in improving employee-performance in Cameroon. As care study, the teachers and drivers’ unions were used. Methodology is an essential factor in any scientific research; in this regard, the quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. Questionnaires as well as structured interviews were also used. Categorical data was analysed as proportions and frequencies and the relationship amongst categorical variables was evaluated using Chi-Square test. Statistical significance was set at a p-value <0.05 and Confidence interval of 95%. Outcomes are summarised into tables and figures. SPSS version 27 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. The findings revealed by the study evidently show that trade unions play a vital role in employee-performance in Cameroon. The result of this research discloses that, the key reason teachers and drivers join trade unions in Cameroon is for the protection of workers’ rights. The main strategies used by trade unions are organising, collective bargaining, alliance, and action. It is also revealed that trade unions have as core mandates, the promotion and protection of the rights and socio-economic interest of their members. Furthermore, age group (p-value = 0.006), level of education (p-value = 0.018) and rating of strength of trade union (0.001) were statistically significantly associated with improved employee-performance. Therefore, as a recommendation, trade unions can stay away from fights with employers and make negotiations via their main strategy, which is collective bargaining. Also, employers should provide upskilling and training opportunities to their employees as this improves employee performance. Conclusively, Teachers and Drivers’ Trade Unions in Cameroon should set as its top priority, the protection of workers’ rights and promotion of their socio-economic interests.