Protection of Union Rights Convention ratified in 1996; the Equal Remuneration Convention ratified in 1977; the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention ratified in 1977; the Minimum Age for Employment Convention ratified in 2003; and the Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention ratified in 2003. 197.The Mozambique Government has underlined the importance of strengthening the country’s labor culture, and of providing a better professional training program for youths and adults. In 2006, the government approved the Employment and Professional Training Strategy (2006-2015). The government’s Five-Year Program (2010-2014) singles out the importance of priority action in the areas of: 1. Employment and Professional Training; 2. Social Security; 3. Professional Relations; 3. Hygiene and Safety at the Workplace; 4. Collective Bargaining; 5. Labor Planning and Statistics. 198.Current problems related to the right to work include the lack of job employment opportunities in areas of high population density, notably cities. The youth represents the group age most affected by the lack of job employment opportunities. This has impacted negatively on social well-being and human development since a great many people resort to crime to meet their needs. 199.There have been a growing number of labor cases brought before the country’s courts, involving violations of workers’ rights and duties. The Ministry of Labor has received a great number of workers’ applications for mediation in disciplinary matters initiated by employers. 200.Article 86 (1) of the CRM enshrines the principle of freedom of professional and trade union association as follows: “1. Workers shall be free to organize professional associations or trade unions.” 201.Constitutional Law and the Law stipulate that every worker shall be free to join a trade union of his choice (exercising the Right of Association), without prior consent or excessive requirements. It is worth mentioning that the Labor Law, which guarantees the right of association, does not provide for civil servants in general nor to members of the judiciary, the police force, firemen, prison wardens and members of the Armed Forces. Discrimination against trade unions is prohibited by law. 202.According to the Mozambique Workers Organization (OTM), in 2006, a total of 500,000 workers were employed in the formal sector, and 98,000 of them were affiliated to a trade union. 203.Labor laws provide for the right of workers to organize themselves and to negotiate employment contracts and other labor benefits collectively. Thus, trade unions have been responsible for negotiating wage increases under a mechanism known as Social Bargaining, involving the government, employers and trade unions. Combined Report from the Republic of Mozambique to the ACHPR, 1999-2010 36