Proselytizing Muslims is forbidden, and only Muslims may become citizens. People of religions which are not recognized by the Shari'a may gather publicly. Thus, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists may not build places of worship but may practice at home. The government maintains financial control over unions through subsidies that account for 90 percent of union budgets. Only one union is permitted per industry or profession, and only one labor federation, the progovernment Kuwaiti trade Union Federation, exists.
Strikes are legal and do occur, although foreign labor organizers have been arrested and deported.
Foreign workers face discrimination in legal proceedings. They must have five- years' residence in Kuwait before joining labor unions. Roughly 100,000 foreign domestic servants are not covered by the labor law and are subject to abuses including rape and beatings.