Workplace video surveillance in the banana sector: invalidity of consent and proportionality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51247/st.v9iS1.737Keywords:
video surveillance at work, consent, proportionality, fundamental rights, banana sectorAbstract
Workplace video surveillance in the Ecuadorian banana sector has emerged as a control mechanism that triggers tensions between the employer's management power and the fundamental rights of workers. This study analyzes the validity of the consent granted for camera installation and the application of the principle of proportionality, considering the parameters of suitability, necessity, and reasonableness. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating a PRISMA-type systematic review and a case study with 20 workers in Tenguel, Ecuador. The instrument's reliability was validated using Cronbach's Alpha α = 0.78). The findings reveal that most workers do not fully understand the scope of personal data processing, rendering the consent formally present but materially void due to the power asymmetry. Furthermore, companies rarely justify surveillance through a proportionality test, leading to excessive monitoring that impacts privacy and emotional well-being. The study concludes that video surveillance is only legitimate when implemented under strict criteria of necessity and transparency, suggesting the need for "Privacy by Design" protocols to protect the dignity of workers in the agricultural sector.
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