Collective bargaining agreements carry the force of law. Unions may freely form domestic federations or join international labor federations. Union members constitute approximately one-half of the country s workforce. Trade unions are independent of the government and political parties, but they have close informal ties with the parties, which exercise a strong influence on them. The right to strike is guaranteed, but no strikes have occurred in the past ten years.
Freedom of association is respected.
The law provides for an independent judiciary, which is based on the Italian legal system. The judicial system delegates some of the authority to Italian magistrates, in both criminal and civil cases. A local conciliation judge handles cases of minor importance. Appeals go, in the first instance, to an Italian judge residing in Italy. Several laws provide for the equality of women in the workplace and elsewhere.