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Academic freedom is limited. University professors must refrain from <br />criticizing government policies and adhere to party views when teaching or <br />writing on political topics. Although citizens enjoy more freedom in private <br />discussions than in the past, the authorities continue to suppress open <br />criticism of the state. <br />Freedoms of association and assembly are restricted. Organizations must <br />apply for official permission to obtain legal status and are closely regulated <br />and monitored by the government. A small but active community of <br />nongovernmental groups promotes environmental conservation, women's <br />development, and public health. Human rights organizations and other <br />private groups with rights- oriented agendas are banned. <br />The Vietnam General Conference of Labor (VGCL), closely tied to the CPV, is <br />the only legal labor federation. All trade unions are required to join the <br />VGCL. In recent years, the government has permitted hundreds of <br />independent "labor associations" to represent workers at individual firms and <br />in some service industries. Farmer and worker protests against local <br />government abuses, including land confiscations and unfair or harsh working <br />conditions, have become more common. The central leadership uses such <br />demonstrations to pressure local governments and businesses to comply <br />with tax laws, environmental regulations, and wage agreements. <br />Enforcement of labor laws covering child labor, workplace safety, and other <br />issues remains poor. Critics also allege that the government has intentionally <br />kept minimum wages low to attract foreign investment, although wages <br />have been rising as companies migrate to Vietnam due to labor unrest in <br />China. In June 2010, farmers and other Vietnamese protested power cuts <br />and blackouts, and sporadic labor protests were reported throughout the <br />year. <br />Vietnam's judiciary is subservient to the CPV, which controls courts at all <br />levels. Defendants have a constitutional right to counsel, but lawyers are <br />5 <br />