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TUNIS — Tunisia A powerful UGTT union escalated the dispute with President Kais Saied's government on Monday, calling for a new national strike in the public sector, including state-owned enterprises, to protest the government's economic policies.
The latest conflict between the union and Sayed is about financing Tunisia to save its finances from bankruptcy in exchange for unpopular reforms such as reduced food and energy subsidies and freezing wages. It happens when you are preparing to start official negotiations with the IMF.
UGIT, the country's leading trade union, strongly rejected these reforms, saying it would increase the suffering of Tunisians and lead to an imminent social collapse.
Its leader, Nourredine Tabobi, told reporters that the date of the new strike will be announced later.
The country stagnated due to a national strike by UGIT on June 16. Public transportation has stopped and the flight has been cancelled.
The latest UGIT move is increasing pressure on Sayed, who has been strengthening his seize power since the July 2021 freeze of Congress and the dismissal of the Cabinet. It moves an enemy called a coup against Tunisia's young democracy.
Mr. Taboubi said the union will go on strike to reject the "reforms presented to the IMF."
"The government doesn't want dialogue, but social conditions are deteriorating, inflation is high, and key interest rates are rising," he added.
The UGTT Union has about 1 million members in the country, giving it the ability to strike and paralyze the economy.
UGTT leaders said the union was "targeted" by authorities earlier this month after Saeed refused to participate in talks on a new constitution that aims to hold a referendum next month. Said. (Report by Tarek Amara edited by Gareth Jones and Emeria Sithole-Mtarise)
