Other constitutional freedoms include peaceful assembly and association, freedom of religion, and freedom of movement within the country, as well as foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation. The government also permits domestic and international human rights monitors to operate freely in Nicaragua. The constitution prohibits discrimination based on birth, nationality, political belief, race, gender, language, religion, opinion, national origin, economic condition, or social condition. All public and private sector workers, except the military and the police, are entitled to form and join unions of their own choosing, and they exercise this right extensively. Nearly half of Nicaragua's work force, including agricultural workers, is unionized.
Workers have the right to strike.
Collective bargaining is becoming more common in the private sector. The Chamorro government presides over a difficult transition from dictatorship to democracy. Progress has been made in consolidating the democratic process, especially since the National Assembly is becoming the principal forum for resolving national problems. Nicaraguans have begun to arrive at compromises affecting, for example, military reform and legislation affecting Nicaraguan, American, and third-country property claimants. A key challenge is to ensure conditions for free and fair general elections in November 1996.