Reportage
Tunisia: the general strike of the UGTT well followed throughout the country
Audio 01:21
The general strike organized by the UGTT union was widely followed in Tunisia on June 16, 2022. © JIHED ABIDELLAOUI/REUTERS
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1 min
The general strike in the public sector this Thursday, June 16 in Tunisia has mobilized strongly, according to the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT).
It was at the call of the country's first union that nearly 200 public companies blocked the country.
A mobilization that puts pressure on President Kaïs Saïed.
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With our correspondent in Tunis,
Nechi Oumeina
Transport, airports, administrations and public companies at a standstill: for the secretary general of the powerful union, Noureddine Taboubi, the general strike is a real success.
From the top of his podium, in front of the UGTT headquarters in Tunis, he claims a 96% participation rate.
Something to bring joy to the hundreds of strikers present, such as Rim Kefi, union official for public transport: “
The general strike is a 100% success, all transport is blocked
: land, air and sea transport, everyone is united
".
For her, there was no other choice but to strike: “
The situation in the country is getting worse day by day and no one is listening to the UGTT.
He extended his hand several times, but without any real and sincere answer
”.
Increase wages
The majority of employees evoke a purely social strike, with the main demand for a salary increase to compensate for high inflation.
This is the case of Adnene Belakhdher, a civil servant in a ministry: “
All our demands concern only our work.
We don't have any political demands or anything else.
This is just our goal
”.
But the success of this strike could have serious consequences for
President Kaïs Saïed
.
Especially since the union leader held a very political speech, criticizing the national dialogue proposed by the Head of State for a new Constitution as well as the negotiations with the IMF.
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Tunisia
Kais Saied