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Tunisia’s powerful UGTT trade union is increasingly turning against President Kais Saied. It has been alleged the government targeted the union to distract attention from the record-low election turnout
Tunisia’s powerful UGTT trade union is increasingly turning against President Kais Saied. It has been alleged the government targeted the union to distract attention from the record-low election turnout. The apex union termed the recently held elections including the runoff elections as gross failures.
Recently, the government arrested the union’s senior official Anis Kaabi. UGTT chief Noureddine Taboubi held a meeting in Gammarth to discuss the arrest of the union’s senior official. These developments are taking place while the country is facing high inflation and a shortage of basic goods.
Parliament was stripped of its powers by Saied to stay in power as an undisputed leader, the opposition alleged. The elections held-both December elections and runoff elections in January- were boycotted by almost 90 percent of voters.
The trade union chief accused authorities of deliberate attempts to carry out painful reforms. Incidentally, UGTT jointly won the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for its role in Tunisia’s democratic transition.
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Kaabi was detained recently after workers at toll barriers on Tunisian highways went on strike for better pay. This led to the non-collection of toll fees, causing losses to the exchequer.
