Civic organizations have proliferated since the return of civilian rule. Numerous women s rights groups focus on violence against women, societal discrimination and other problems. The small black minority continues to face discrimination. Uruguay s continuing economic crisis has forced thousands of formerly middle-class citizens to join rural migrants in the shantytowns ringing Montevideo. Workers exercise their right to join unions, bargain collectively, and hold strikes.
Unions are well organized and politically powerful.
Strikes are sometimes marked by violent clashes and sabotage.