1. Every citizen has the right to individually, or jointly with others, submit petitions, representations,
claims or complaints in defence of their rights, the Constitution, the laws or the general interest to the
entities that exercise sovereignty, the self-government organs of the autonomous regions, or any
authority, as well as the right to be informed of the result of the consideration thereof within a reasonable
time limit.
2. The law shall lay down the terms under which collective petitions that are submitted to the Assembly
of the Republic and the Legislative Assemblies of the autonomous regions are considered in plenary
sitting.
3. Everyone is granted the right of actio popularis, including the right to apply for the applicable
compensation for an aggrieved party or parties, in the cases and under the terms provided for by law,
either personally or via associations that purport to defend the interests in question. The said right may
particularly be exercised in order to:
a) Promote the prevention, cessation or judicial prosecution of offences against public health, consumer
rights, the quality of life or the preservation of the environment and the cultural heritage;
b) Safeguard the property of the state, the autonomous regions and local authorities.
CHAPTER III
Workers’ rights, freedoms and guarantees
Article 53
(Job security)
Workers are guaranteed job security, and dismissal without fair cause or for political or ideological
reasons is prohibited.
Article 54
(Workers’ committees)
1. Workers have the right to form workers’ committees to defend their interests and democratically
intervene in the life of their enterprise.
2. Decisions to form workers’ committees must be taken by the workers in question, who must approve
the committees’ by-laws, and must elect their members by direct, secret ballot.
3. Coordinating committees may be created with a view to improving intervention in economic
restructuring and in such a way as to guarantee workers’ interests.
4. Committee members enjoy the legal protection accorded to trade union delegates.
5. Workers’ committees have the right:
a) To receive all the information needed to do their work;
b) To monitor the management of their enterprises;
c) To participate in corporate restructuring processes, especially in relation to training actions or when
working conditions are altered;