THE CHARTER OF CIVIL SOCIETY
FOR THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY

ARTICLE XIX

Workers' Rights

1. Every worker has the right:
   (a) to form or belong to and participate in the activities of trade unions or other associations for the promotion and protection of his or her interest or the right not to belong to and participate in the activities of any such trade union or association;
   (b) to negotiate or bargain collectively;
   (c) not to be subjected to unfair labour practices, including intimidation and victimisation;
   (d) to work under safe, hygienic and healthy conditions;
   (e) to reasonable hours of work, rest, periodic holidays with pay and remuneration for public holidays;
   (f) to receive reasonable remuneration for his or her labour and to withhold his or her labour subject to such reasonable restrictions as may be imposed by national law in the public interest.
   
   
2. The provisions of this Article shall not preclude the States from taking measures imposing on persons in the service of the State, restrictions which are reasonably justifiable in a free and democratic society.
   
   
3. The States undertake:
   (a) to safeguard the right of workers to earn their living in freely chosen lawful occupations;
   (b) to recognise the desirability of workers earning a level of remuneration which would afford them and their families the enjoyment of a decent standard of living;
   (c) in recognition of the right of workers to collective bargaining, the responsibility to provide adequate machinery for the recognition and certification of trade unions enjoying the support of a majority of the workers based on the free choice of the workers concerned;
   (d) to foster and promote a harmonious and productive working environment by sensitising workers, trade unions and employers as to their respective and mutual obligations;
   (e) to provide protection for workers against arbitrary dismissal;
   (f) to provide adequate machinery for the speedy resolution of industrial disputes and the restoration of normalcy in the event of strikes, lock-outs and other forms of industrial action;
   (g) to provide an adequate period of leave with pay, or with adequate social security benefits for women before and after childbirth and to make it unlawful for an employer to terminate a woman's employment or take any other action that would unfavourably affect her status or promotion by reason of her pregnancy;
   (h) to establish standards to be observed by employers in providing workers with a safe and healthy working environment;
   (i) to provide workers with adequate social security benefits;
   (j) to ensure that every person who has attained the age of retirement and does not have adequate means of subsistence is provided with social and medical assistance.

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