Nongovernmental organizations are active and outspoken. In rural areas foreign logging companies frequently swindle villagers and often renege on promises to build schools and hospitals. Women face significant, unofficial discrimination in education and employment opportunities. Rape and domestic violence are serious problems. Many refugees have accepted a 1998 government offer of permanent residency.
Unions are independent, and workers can and do bargain collectively and stage strikes.
The International Labor Organization has criticized a law allowing the government to invalidate arbitration agreements or wage awards not considered in the national interest.