The unions may freely form domestic federations or join international labor federations. Trade unions are independent of the Government and the political parties, but they have close informal ties with the parties, which exercise strong influence on them. Workers in all nonmilitary occupations have the right to strike. No strikes have occurred in at least the last 6 years. The law gives collective bargaining agreements the force of law and prohibits antiunion discrimination by employers.
Effective mechanisms exist to resolve complaints.
There are no export processing zones. The law prohibits forced or compulsory labor and is enforced. The minimum working age and compulsory education age is 16 years. The Ministry of Labor and Cooperation permits no exceptions. Most students continue in school until age 18.