In some countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan workers have no trade union rights in the export processing zones, while in other countries such as Thailand, Fiji, India and Sri Lanka trade unions are not allowed in practice in the zones. Strikes and demonstrations are fiercely repressed. 19 of the 25 countries in the region have anti-strike legislation. The authorities frequently intervened in trade union affairs, as according to the survey, nearly half of all cases of interference took place in Asia. In North Korea and Burma, the authorities have banned the formation of independent trade unions.
China represses any attempt to form independent trade unions.
Many trade unionists remained behind bars or were sent to prison without trial. At least 164 independent labour activists were sent to rehabilitation through labour camps. Hundreds of Chinese workers were injured during clashes with the police as they were protesting against the closures of factory which have resulted in millions of people losing their jobs. In Indonesia, although the trade union situation has improved the fall of President Suharto, the police and military still brutally intervene in most strikes. The recent history of Australian trade unionism has been one of continual assaults on trade unions at national and state level through the introduction of repressive legislation to deprive unions of their rights.