New labor law revisions establish telework and mandate employers create policies to ensure employees are not contacted outside work hours.
Equatorial Guinea's General Labor Law has been revised to incorporate teleworking and update labor regulations. The changes introduce a legal framework for remote work, defined as work performed using Information and Communication Technologies outside the usual workplace. This reform aims to align the country's legal structure with modern employment practices and protect workers' rights in this evolving landscape.
A key provision grants teleworkers the right to disconnect, meaning they are not obligated to respond to employer communications or orders during their non-working hours. Employers must establish internal policies outlining guidelines to guarantee this right, ensuring they also refrain from sending work-related demands during these periods. The law also prohibits discrimination against workers who choose to telework or revert to in-office roles.
The revisions seek to adapt labor legislation to new work organization methods while safeguarding the interests of both employees and employers. The law emphasizes flexibility in work schedules to help employees balance professional and personal lives, allowing for agreements on daily rest, weekly breaks, and annual leave that also ensure business productivity.
Why it mattersTeleworkers in Equatorial Guinea gain the right to not respond to employer communications outside of work hours, ensuring a clearer separation between professional and personal time.
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