Brought to you by US invasion

"The position of trade unions has deteriorated significantly in Iraq. Unions in the electricity sector have been banned in a move that echoes Saddam Hussein's old ways. The Iraqi police raided and shut down trade union offices following a draconian ministerial decree.The order, issued on 20 July, "prohibits all trade union activities at the [electricity] ministry and its departments and sites". It orders the police "to close all trade union offices and bases and to take control of the union's assets, properties and documents, furniture and computers". It also instructs the ministry to take legal action against trade union officials under anti-terrorism laws." (thanks Shawna)