Article 18: Freedom of Trade, Business or Profession
Citizens have the right to choose lawful work, business, trade, or profession.
The State can regulate businesses and professions through law, but restrictions should not be unfair or discriminatory.
Issues that can be addressed:
- Unfair licensing requirements
- Discriminatory hiring
- Arbitrary business shutdowns
- Unfair restrictions on professions
- Monopolies and cartel behavior
- Harassment of small businesses
- Barriers to lawful employment
- Forced employment through debt or pressure
- Unfair denial of business permissions
- Government action that blocks someone’s lawful earning
- Arbitrary restrictions on service providers
- Livelihood affected by sudden administrative action
- Closure of workplaces without due process
- Unfair restrictions on lawful business activity
- Discriminatory treatment between businesses
- Business operations stopped without written order