Tunisia: Retirees reject 5% pension increase

Tunisian retirees have voiced strong opposition to a proposed 5% increase in their pensions. The general federation of retirees, affiliated with the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), stated that the raise is insufficient to counter the significant drop in their purchasing power. In a statement released Wednesday, the federation argued that pension increases should be implemented progressively, directly linked to the diminishing value of pensions, to better bridge the gap with each adjustment.

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it would have been more appropriate for the increase in pensions of CNSS retirees to be established progressively according to the decrease in the value of pensions, in order to reduce the gap with each increase.

The federation noted that while the increase for retirees affiliated with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) is meager, the raise for those under the National Retirement and Social Welfare Fund (CNRPS) meets minimum criteria. Beyond financial concerns, the retirees' federation also sounded the alarm about the country's health sector. They described the situation as "complex and difficult for decades," pointing to factors like the scarcity of essential medicines that have worsened public health services in recent years.

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the increase granted to retirees affiliated with the CNSS is very small and does not correspond to the significant drop in the purchasing power of most of them

The statement emphasized the critical need for dialogue and negotiation on key issues affecting workers, particularly retirees. The federation stressed that addressing these concerns is paramount to ensuring the well-being and financial security of the nation's retired population.

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complex and difficult for decades