General strike in Tunisia prompts warnings of imminent social tension

Most of Tunisia’s sectors were paralyzed June 16 due to the general strike called for by the country’s largest and powerful trade union to pressure the government to respond to the workers’ demands.
Supporters of the Tunisian General Labour Union gather with national flags during a rally outside its headquarters, amid a general strike announced by the UGTT, Tunis, Tunisia, June 16, 2022.
Supporters of the Tunisian General Labour Union gather with national flags during a rally outside its headquarters, amid a general strike announced by the UGTT, Tunis, Tunisia, June 16, 2022. - Fethi Belaid/AFP via Getty Images
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Hanen Jebli
@hanenjebli593

TUNIS, Tunisia — The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), Tunisia’s largest trade union defending public and private sector employees, went on strike June 16, in protest against the deteriorating economic conditions and government measures imposed to address the financial crisis plaguing the country.

These measures include freezing public wages and reducing subsidies, which the government hopes will lead to an urgent $4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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