Minimum residency requirements are 6 years for voters and 12 years, including 6 months residence in the commune, for candidates to run for town councils. Section 6 Worker Rights a. All workers have the right to associate freely and choose their representatives. About 65 percent of the labor force is unionized. Membership is not mandatory.
Unions operate free of governmental interference.
The two largest labor federations are linked to, but organized independently of, major political parties. The law prohibits discrimination against strike leaders, and a labor tribunal deals with complaints. The Constitution provides all workers with the right to strike, except for government workers such as police, armed forces, and hospital personnel providing essential services. There were no legal strikes during the year, and there have been no illegal strikes since 1979. Unions maintain unrestricted contact with international bodies.