Tunisia Grinds to a Halt as Defiant Union Clashes with Saied’s Tremendous and Intensifying Repression
Tunisia’s most powerful labor federation, the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), has declared a nationwide work stoppage for January 21, a dramatic escalation in the standoff between the state and civic groups as President Kais Saied continues tightening his political grip. The walkout — the first since Saied amassed sweeping, unilateral authority — is designed to denounce his crackdown on dissent and to pressure the government into long-delayed wage talks amid worsening economic misery.
Representing more than a million workers across multiple sectors, the UGTT cautioned that the strike could cripple essential public services, further burdening an administration already overwhelmed by ballooning deficits, surging inflation, and a rapidly deteriorating standard of living. The union described the action as a necessary stand against “the steady erosion of basic freedoms and the suffocation of public discourse.”
“We will not be cowed by intimidation or imprisonment. We do not fear detention,” UGTT Secretary-General Noureddine Taboubi told journalists on Thursday after leading a mass rally. “Our struggle for labor rights, democratic freedoms, and social equity will not stop.”
Saied’s Expanding Authority
Since July 2021, President Saied has governed almost solely by decree after freezing parliament — a move he framed as a cleansing effort against corruption and mismanagement. Opponents have condemned the decision as an outright power grab that dismantled the democratic progress achieved after the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Human rights organizations say Saied has methodically sidelined political rivals, weakened civil society groups — including the UGTT — and tightened control over the judiciary. Multiple opposition politicians and journalists have been arrested under laws critics argue are weaponized to stifle dissent. Saied, however, insists that every measure he takes is lawful and that “no one stands above the law.”
Rising Discord Within the UGTT
The UGTT initially backed Saied’s 2021 intervention, believing it would pave the way for reform and stability. Yet the union has since evolved into one of his fiercest adversaries, warning that Tunisia is sliding toward renewed autocracy. Labor leaders emphasize that economic paralysis, soaring unemployment, and collapsing public institutions are deepening public frustration and rendering the president’s strategy unsustainable.
“Tunisia cannot advance while fundamental rights are restricted and dialogue is shut down,” Taboubi asserted. “Our mobilization is not only about wages — it is about defending the democratic foundations that secure the nation’s future.”
The forthcoming strike is expected to disrupt government offices, transit networks, schools, and hospitals, potentially reducing operations in critical sectors to a minimum. Analysts caution that such widespread interruptions could amplify public anger and heighten the risk of confrontations between demonstrators and security forces, especially as spiraling inflation drives food and fuel prices to unprecedented levels.
Economic and Political Stakes
Tunisia’s economy has been battered for years, strained by heavy debt, declining tourism revenues, and shrinking foreign investment. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has repeatedly demanded serious structural reforms and a stable political environment before offering financial support. But ongoing turmoil, coupled with the absence of a functioning parliament, has made negotiations with global lenders increasingly difficult and raised fears of deeper financial collapse.
Experts note that the UGTT’s planned shutdown is more than a labor dispute — it is a symbolic and strategic challenge to Saied’s centralized rule. By calling a nationwide stoppage, the union is using its historic influence, built during Tunisia’s post-2011 democratic transition, to show that civil society remains a formidable counterweight to authoritarian pressure.
What Lies Ahead
As the January 21 deadline approaches, Tunisia is heading into a pivotal moment for its political future. The government has not yet signaled whether it will sit down with the union or attempt to neutralize the strike. Meanwhile, ordinary Tunisians continue to shoulder rising living expenses, faltering public services, and deepening anxiety over the fate of their democracy.
Observers warn that the upcoming strike could become a watershed event — one that reshapes the struggle between authoritarian consolidation and citizen-driven resistance in the critical months ahead.
Source: Araba Sey