The National Administrative Commission of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), meeting on Thursday, 4 June 2026, at the Union’s headquarters in Mohamed Ali Square under the chairmanship of Brother Salah Eddine Salmi, Secretary-General, and in a delicate national context marked by the continued deterioration of economic and social conditions, the worsening hardships faced by wage earners and the broader popular classes, as well as the paralysis of social dialogue,

Having deliberated on the various national, economic, social and trade union issues, and having assessed the general situation in the country, characterised by growing social tensions and increasing threats to social stability, the National Administrative Commission:

1.Strongly condemns the growing tensions in labour relations within a number of public and private economic institutions and enterprises, as well as the arbitrary dismissals, harassment, intimidation and targeting of workers and trade unionists because of their trade union activities and their commitment to defending their legitimate rights.

It pays tribute to workers across all regions of the country—from Ben Arous to Tataouine, Kairouan, Sfax, Bizerte and elsewhere—and commends their resilience and determination in defending their legitimate rights and dignity in the face of various forms of pressure and repression.

The Commission also expresses its support for trade unionists in the health sector in the Tunis region who are facing a wave of judgments rendered in absentia as a result of their legitimate struggles.

2.Expresses its full support for the decision of the Banking Sector Council to proceed with a sector-wide strike in protest against the exclusion of banking sector employees from the 2025 wage increase.

It reaffirms its commitment to the principle of collective bargaining and to social dialogue as the essential mechanism for preventing tensions and ensuring stability within the sector.

It further calls for the opening of a new round of negotiations in the private sector in order to remedy this injustice and secure the workers’ right to a wage increase for the year 2025.

3.Salutes the workers’ representatives, government representatives and employers’ representatives who voted overwhelmingly in favour of granting the State of Palestine observer member status within the International Labour Organization.

It reiterates its unwavering support for the legitimate Palestinian resistance in Gaza in confronting the war of extermination and occupation.

It also reaffirms its support for the Lebanese and Yemeni peoples in the face of attacks and violations targeting their sovereignty and security.

Furthermore, it expresses its solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in confronting attacks and threats directed against its territory, sovereignty and national resources.

4.Reaffirms its unconditional support for lawyers in their legitimate struggle to defend the legal profession and the right to legal defence.

It likewise supports the Tunisian League for Human Rights and all national and civil society organisations engaged in public advocacy and activism.

The Commission renews its firm commitment to public and individual freedoms, as well as freedom of opinion and expression, and calls for their respect and protection and for an end to all forms of restrictions and prosecutions.

5.Condemns the continued failure of the government and certain employers to honour their legal and contractual commitments and their refusal to implement sectoral, regional and collective agreements, despite the fact that these agreements are the result of long struggles and considerable sacrifices made by workers in terms of wages and social stability.

It warns against the dangers of undermining the principles of collective bargaining and social dialogue and turning signed agreements into mere formal commitments that are never implemented.

6.Expresses its anger at the continuing collapse of the purchasing power of wage earners, pensioners and the wider population as a result of soaring prices, widespread profiteering and speculation, and the absence of effective measures to protect citizens from an ever-worsening cost-of-living crisis.

The Commission stresses that workers and the popular classes are bearing the full burden of the economic crisis and financial imbalances, while policies lacking genuine solutions to the causes of economic decline continue to prevail.

7.Notes the serious deterioration of essential public services, particularly in the sectors of healthcare, education and transport.

This decline in service quality deprives citizens of their fundamental rights, deepens frustration and contributes to growing social tensions.

The Commission calls for a review of current economic and social policies and for the adoption of national strategies based on:

• supporting production;
• promoting employment;
• protecting public enterprises;
• safeguarding purchasing power;
• achieving fiscal and social justice.

8.Reaffirms the UGTT’s commitment to its independence and to its national and social role.

It rejects all attempts to weaken the Union or circumvent its historic role in defending rights, freedoms and the interests of working men and women.

The Commission holds the government fully responsible for the escalating social tensions resulting from the neglect of legitimate demands, the failure to implement agreements and the refusal to engage in dialogue.

National Administrative Commission
Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT)