The government provides a nine-percent subsidy to wool fabric and apparel producers using funds from a tax on greasy and washed wool exports. Certain provisions of the recently-passed patent law appear to be TRIPs inconsistent and Uruguay's failure to pass a new copyright law is also a problem. Enforcement of copyrights is still weak and piracy of business application software is estimated at 72 percent. Worker Rights a. The constitution guarantees the right of workers to organize freely and encourages the formation of unions.
Labor unions are independent of government or political party control.
Children under the age of 18 may not perform dangerous, fatiguing, or night work, apart from domestic employment. The standard workweek is 48 hours for six days, with overtime compensation. Workers are protected by health and safety standards, which appear to be adhered to in practice. In many cases, the wages and working conditions for those in U.S.-affiliated industries appear to be better than average.