AFRICA - House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats

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Section 4. Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation
of Alleged Violations of Human Rights
A small number of domestic human rights groups generally operated without government
restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights
cases. Government officials were generally cooperative and responsive to their
views. During the year, there were no known requests by international human
rights groups to visit the country.
Section 5. Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Disability, Language, or Social Status
The Constitution provides for the equality of all citizens regardless of sex, race,
racial origin, political tendency, creed, or philosophic conviction; however, the Government
has not enforced actively these provisions.
Women.—While the extent of the problem was unknown, medical professionals report
that domestic violence against women occurred, including rape. They also reported
that although women have the right to legal recourse—including against
spouses—many were reluctant to bring legal action or were ignorant of their rights
under the law. Traditional beliefs and practices also inhibited women from taking
domestic disputes outside the family.
While the Constitution stipulates that women and men have equal political, economic,
and social rights, and while many women have access to opportunities in
education, business, and government, in practice women still encounter significant
societal discrimination. Traditional beliefs concerning the division of labor between
men and women left women with much of the hard work in agriculture, with most
child-rearing responsibilities, and with less access to education and to professions.
Children.—A number of government- and donor-funded programs were established
to improve conditions for children, notably an ongoing malaria control project
and purchase of school and medical equipment. There has been improvement in maternity
and infant care, in nutrition, and in access to basic health services, especially
in urban areas. Mistreatment of children was not widespread; however, there
were few social protections for orphans and abandoned children.
Education was free to the age of 14 and universal; there were no differences between
the treatment of girls and boys in regard to education. Education was compulsory
through the sixth grade; however, education after the sixth grade or the age
of 14, whichever came first, was not free.
Persons with Disabilities.—The law does not mandate access to buildings, transportation,
or services for persons with disabilities. There were no reports of discrimination
against persons with disabilities.
Section 6. Worker Rights
a. The Right of Association.—The Constitution provides for freedom of association.
Few unions existed in the very small modern wage sector. The two major unions
were the General Union of Workers and the National Organization of Workers of
Sao Tome and Principe. Independent cooperatives took advantage of the Government’s
land distribution program to attract workers and in many cases to improve
production and incomes significantly. Public sector employees still made up the
great majority of wage earners.
There were no laws prohibiting antiunion discrimination; however, there were no
reports of antiunion discrimination.
There were no restrictions against trade unions joining federations or affiliating
with international bodies, but none have done so.
b. The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively.—The Constitution provides
that workers may organize and bargain collectively; however, due to its role as the
principal employer in the wage sector, the Government remained the key interlocutor
for labor on all matters, including wages.
The Constitution provides for the freedom to strike, even by government employees
and other essential workers. In July the State Workers Union (STE) staged a
2-day public sector general strike to demand a minimum salary increase. Although
the STE publicly refused the Government’s proposal of a 30 percent ($8 or 70,000
dobras) minimum wage increase, the strike ended peacefully after the Government
and union officials reached an undisclosed agreement. There were no laws or regulations
that prohibit employers from retaliating against strikers; however, there were
no reports of retaliation following strikes.
There were no export processing zones.
c. Prohibition of Forced or Bonded Labor.—The law prohibits forced or bonded
labor, including by children, and there were no reports that such practices occurred.
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