Tunisia’s powerful union leader is stepping down before a planned national strike, sources said
Nourredine Taboubi, the leader of Tunisia’s most influential labour union, stepped down on Tuesday, according to union sources, just a month ahead of a scheduled nationwide strike in response to President Kais Saied’s increasing repression of dissent.
Taboubi’s exit may undermine the UGTT labour federation, often regarded as the final robust stronghold of democratic civil society in the North African nation. The UGTT did not provide an immediate response regarding Taboubi’s reported departure.
The UGTT, with its one million members, has strongly condemned Saied’s rapid shift towards authoritarianism, highlighting its significant role in Tunisia’s democratic transition following years of dictatorship since 2011.
The UGTT has announced a nationwide strike for January 21, marking the first since Saied assumed extensive powers, in response to his increasing repression of dissent and to advocate for wage negotiations.
Critics of Saied argue that the arrests of opposition leaders, civil society groups, and journalists highlight a shift towards authoritarianism by the president since he assumed extraordinary powers in 2021 to govern by decree.
Saied stated that he assumed broader powers to eliminate widespread corruption and mismanagement. The opposition characterized his action as a coup.
Rising inflation, scarcity of essential goods, and inadequate public services have contributed to growing dissatisfaction and sparked a series of street protests.
