The Government's provision for the protection of workers against antiunion discrimination has very little effect due to low union membership. The Government adopted no laws to establish penal sanctions against employers practicing such discrimination. This practice is not widespread. There are no export processing zones. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor Forced or compulsory labor is not permitted by law, and is not known to exist.
Judicial action is pending against an individual accused of coercing labor during the year.
The General Labor Act of 1986 established a minimum age of 14 years for general factory labor and 18 for heavy or dangerous labor, including all labor in mines. These minimum age requirements are generally followed in the small-wage sector, but the Ministry of Civil Service and Labor does not enforce these requirements in other sectors. Children in cities often work in street trading, and those in rural communities do domestic and field work without pay. The Government does not attempt to discourage these traditional practices. The Government's Council of Ministers annually establishes minimum wage rates for all categories of work but does not enforce them.