[3] However, the same section of an act states explicitly that an employer may dismiss, demote, transfer or refuse to promote a worker on other grounds.
Should the Director General of Industrial Relations fail to get both parties to reach an agreement, the matter is referred to the Human Resources Minister.
Only 3% of private sector workers are trade union members, and less than 2% are covered by collective agreements.
If the employer does not provide recognition within the stipulated period the matter will be taken to the Director General of Industrial Relations for arbitration.
All industrial actions, including picketing and strikes must stopped once the minister makes the reference.
The law allows for duration of collective agreements to be at least three years, The Industrial Relations Act defines a "strike" in a sufficiently broad manner to include work-to-rule and go-slow actions.
"Any act or omission by a body of workers, which is intended or which does result in any limitation, restriction, reduction, delatoriness in the performance of their duties connected to their employment" Illegal strikes have consequences such as fines or imprisonment.
9,000 railway workers went on strike to demand conversion of daily wages be changed to monthly salaries.