Article 49
(Freedom of professional and business association)
1. All members of the liberal or independent professions and, in general, all
self-employed workers shall be guaranteed freedom of professional
association in order to defend their rights and interests and to regulate the
ethics of each profession.
2. Associations for members of the liberal or independent professions shall be
governed by the principles of democratic organisation and functioning and
independence from the state, under the terms of the law.
3. The ethical standards of the professional associations may not contradict the
constitutional order, fundamental human rights or the law.
Article 50
(Trade union freedoms)
1. It shall be recognised that all workers have the freedom to create trade union
organisations to defend their collective and individual interests.
2. It shall be recognised that trade union associations have the right to defend
the rights and interests of workers and to exercise the right to social
dialogue, which must duly take into account the fundamental human rights of
individuals and communities and the actual capacity of the economy, under
the terms of the law.
3. The law shall regulate the founding, affiliation, federation, organisation and
closure of trade union associations and shall guarantee their autonomy and
independence from employers and the state.
Article 51
(Right to strike and prohibition of lock-outs)
1. Workers shall have the right to strike.
2. Lock-outs shall be prohibited and employers may not bring a company totally
or partially to standstill by forbidding workers access to workplaces or
similar as a means of influencing the outcome of labour conflicts.
3. The law shall regulate the exercise of the right to strike and shall establish
limitations on the services and activities considered essential and urgent in
terms of meeting vital social needs.
Article 52
(Participation in public life)
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