Illegal organization

On May 1st of this year, Mr. Mohammed Zaki, the president of a local union of petrochemical workers was summoned to a meeting by the General Manager of the Petrochemical Company in Basra. In this meeting - citing labor law from the era of Saddam Hussein that prohibits union organizing in the public sector - the Petrochemical Company accused Mr. Zaki of participating in an illegal organization. The company took Mr. Zaki to court and charged him with forming an illegal union, inciting workers to demonstrate and protest, and sabotaging the national economy. Mr. Zaki is now out on bail, but the case and charges against him are still pending." (thanks Shawna)