Union leaders play a significant role in the political process, and one labor leader serves in the Senate. While workers in the private sector are free to strike at will, workers in the public sector must give advance notice. There were several incidents of industrial action including strikes in 1995, but all were short-lived and settled with the intervention of the Ministry of Labour or the Prime Minister. All unions were free of government control, and none received government financial support. The GTUC and its unions freely affiliate with regional and international trade union groups.
Collectively Workers are free to organize and to participate in collective bargaining.
Legislation requires employers to recognize a union that represents the majority of workers in a particular business. The law prohibits discrimination by employers against union members and organizers. If a complaint of discrimination arises, mechanisms exist to resolve it. After all avenues for resolving a complaint have been exhausted between union representatives and employers, both sides may agree to ask for the assistance of the Labour Commissioner. If the Labour Commissioner is unable to find a resolution to the impasse, the Minister of Labour may appoint an arbitration tribunal if both parties agree to abide by its ruling.