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🇹🇳 Tunisia /Energy & Infrastructure

Tunisia Transport Strike: UGTT Federation Breaks Ranks, Urges Activity Continuation

From La Presse · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Tunisia's transport union federation called on its members in irregular public transport not to join a general strike on Monday.
  • The union cited the need for organizational unity and responsible action, while employers maintained their strike order.
  • The strike, affecting various transport services, is set to proceed unless the Transport Ministry meets demands, particularly regarding fare revisions.

Tunisia's General Transport Federation, affiliated with the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), has fractured the planned general strike in the irregular public transport sector. The federation urged its members not to participate in the strike scheduled for Monday, a move that contrasts with the employers' insistence on ceasing all activity.

the defense of the rights and achievements of the workers

— Fédération générale du transport de l’Union générale tunisienne du travailThe union's reasoning for its members to not participate in the strike.

The union's leadership stated that defending workers' rights requires organizational unity and adherence to its internal decisions. They emphasized responsible trade union action. The federation also requested authorities to protect its members from harassment or aggression related to their union affiliation, promising legal and syndical support for any victims of abuse.

the unity of the trade union organization

— Fédération générale du transport de l’Union générale tunisienne du travailThe union's reasoning for its members to not participate in the strike.

The general strike was announced by professionals in irregular public transport, including individual taxis, collective taxis, tourist taxis, and rural transport. It was slated to run from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM across all governorates. However, the internal division within the labor movement introduces uncertainty.

engagement in responsible trade union action

— Fédération générale du transport de l’Union générale tunisienne du travailThe union's reasoning for its members to not participate in the strike.

Moez Sellami, first vice-president of the National Transport Federation of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts (UTICA), declared the strike "irreversible" as long as the Ministry of Transport fails to fulfill its commitments, particularly concerning fare revisions. This highlights a standoff between transport operators and the ministry, with the UGTT federation's stance potentially altering the strike's impact.

the movement is irreversible as long as the Ministry of Transport has not applied its commitments, particularly in terms of revising tariffs

— Moez SellamiThe employers' stance on the strike's continuation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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