The law provides for the right to form or join a trade union, and unions function freely and independently of the Government. There is a spectrum of national unions, some of which are affiliated with political parties. Approximately 15 percent of the work force are members of labor organizations. Workers can interrupt work to strike without criminal liability but cannot be assured of keeping their jobs. The Government did not declare any strikes illegal in 1995.
Jamaican unions maintain a wide variety of regional and international affiliations.
The Government rarely interferes with union organizing efforts. All parties in Jamaica are firmly committed to collective bargaining in contract negotiations, even in some nonunion settings. Any cases not resolved by the IDT pass to the civil courts. The IDT was not able to resolve the large number of disputes before it in 1995. For example, employers may not fire workers solely for union membership.