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The adverse impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic on the labor market in Cameroon

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  • Yannick Fosso Djoumessi

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impacts of the Covid‐19 pandemic on employment in Cameroon. Using data collected from a rapid survey led by the National Institute of Statistics, on a sample of 1,310 respondents from April to May 2020. These data show that a large proportion of workers suffered a wage cut (60.93%) and temporary job suspension (31.6%), and the smallest proportion suffered job loss (7.47%). The results of the logistic regression show that lower frequency of outgoings to work, difficulties in accessing transport services and the loss of customer confidence have a strong negative impact on both wage cuts and temporary suspensions of work. The closure (total or partial) of activities has increasingly enhanced job loss. Further, the log of odds show that workers in private firms are more affected than their peers in public firms, and the middle‐aged are the most affected group. So, it is recommended to revamp the old methods of activity into digital innovation that enables less physical touch and find an appropriate way to support those who have lost their jobs during this Covid‐19 pandemic, particularly in the private sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Yannick Fosso Djoumessi, 2021. "The adverse impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic on the labor market in Cameroon," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(S1), pages 31-44, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:afrdev:v:33:y:2021:i:s1:p:s31-s44
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8268.12508
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin Fomba Kamga & Rodrigue Nda'Chi Deffo, 2022. "Analysis of the resilience strategies of Cameroonian companies in the face of Covid‐19 and their effects on activity," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(4), pages 880-897, May.
    2. Douanla Meli, Steve & Fosso Djoumessi, Yannick & Djiogap, Constant Fouopi, 2022. "Analysis of the socio-economic determinants of mobile money adoption and use in Cameroon," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(9).
    3. Emmanuel Umoru Haruna & Usman Alhassan, 2022. "Does digitalization limit the proliferation of the shadow economy in African countries? An in‐depth panel analysis," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(S1), pages 34-62, July.
    4. Awa Diouf & Mouhamadou Fallilou Ndiaye & Cheikh Faye, 2022. "Emergency food aid and household food security during COVID‐19: Evidence from a field survey in Senegal," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(4), pages 556-569, December.
    5. Saadia Narjis & Muhammad Rizwan Yaseen & Sofia Anwar & Muhammad Sohail Amjad Makhdoom, 2022. "The Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Households in Punjab, Pakistan," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 4(3), pages 218-232.
    6. Edward Sennoga & Lacina Balma, 2022. "Fiscal sustainability in Africa: Accelerating the post‐COVID‐19 recovery through improved public finances," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(S1), pages 8-33, July.
    7. Samuel Kwaku Agyei & Zangina Isshaq & Siaw Frimpong & Anokye Mohammed Adam & Ahmed Bossman & Oliver Asiamah, 2021. "COVID‐19 and food prices in sub‐Saharan Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(S1), pages 102-113, April.

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