UGTT calls for urgent social dialogue amid economic crisis on May 1st
via Business News5 min read
On April 28, 2026, the UGTT issued a statement ahead of Labor Day on May 1st, highlighting a concerning economic and social situation in Tunisia and advocating for "serious, responsible, and binding" social dialogue. The union noted a continuous decline in purchasing power, rising prices, and a worsening public finance crisis. Employees and retirees face increasing pressure from stagnant incomes and higher living costs, with precarity extending to broader segments of the middle class. Unemployment, particularly among youth and graduates, is also escalating. The UGTT attributed the decline in public service quality to underinvestment, resource shortages, and administrative inefficiencies. The union urged a thorough review of economic policies, proposing a shift away from an inequitable growth model towards one focused on production and employment, and advocating against rent-seeking and the informal sector. It emphasized the need for tax justice, including broadening the tax base and combating tax evasion. The UGTT also called for transparency in financial agreements and international negotiations, asserting that economic policies must remain under citizen control. It reaffirmed its commitment to its independence and rejected external pressures, advocating for reforms based on national resources and good governance. The union reiterated its dedication to public freedoms, including union and press freedom, and highlighted its recent congress's focus on internal democracy and tr
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Must ReadOn World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the UGTT labor union raised alarm over the increase in workplace accidents in Tunisia, labeling the situation a "national tragedy." The union's social protection and informal sector department reported a rise in serious and fatal accidents, particularly in the private sector, noting four deaths in one week without official response. Annually, Tunisia records 25,000 to 26,000 workplace accidents, with approximately 120 fatalities, averaging one death every three days. The UGTT attributes these figures to the current system's failure to protect workers, citing neglected policies, insufficient oversight, and non-compliance with safety standards. The union also highlighted the disregard for international conventions on occupational health and safety, the lack of decent working conditions, and inadequate preventive training. Weak labor inspections and occupational medicine are also blamed for allowing non-compliant companies to violate laws without penalty. The UGTT holds the Ministry of Social Affairs responsible for insufficient control mechanisms and ineffective law enforcement, and Utica for prioritizing profit over worker safety. The union emphasized the significant human, social, and financial impact of these accidents, which have devastated families and burdened social security funds. The UGTT demands immediate and transparent investigations into recent accidents, effective implementation of international conventions, strengthened
Tunisia's overall compliance rate for wage declarations stood at 58% for 2025, a level deemed average by Mohamed Naceur Mrabet, central director at the National Social Security Fund CNSS. Out of 224,859 employers, only 129,763 submitted wage declarations. Workers in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors are significantly affected, with a declaration rate not exceeding 22%. Domestic workers are the most vulnerable, with a rate of only 21%, despite their inclusion under social security law since 2002. In contrast, the improved agricultural employee scheme shows the highest compliance at 71%, followed by the non-agricultural sector at 63%. Mrabet emphasized the need to strengthen control mechanisms, combat social evasion, and simplify declaration procedures to improve overall compliance. He also noted progress in the digitalization of CNSS services, with 60% of payments to CNSS in April 2026 made through digital channels, reducing congestion at social security centers.
Must ReadOn Tuesday, April 28, 2026, American President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that Iran is in a "state of collapse." He further claimed that Tehran has requested the United States to "open the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible" while Iran attempts to resolve its leadership situation. Trump added that he believes Iranian authorities will be "able to resolve" this situation. These statements have not been corroborated by independent or official Iranian sources. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil trade, and any disruption there can impact energy markets and regional stability. Trump's remarks come amidst fragile negotiations and precarious geopolitical balances in the region, with indirect discussions attempting to consolidate a ceasefire in various Middle Eastern conflict zones. Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed Trump's claims, maintaining a stance of resilience against economic and diplomatic pressures while participating indirectly in ongoing discussions. Trump's statements are part of his often unpredictable communication style, which can fuel tensions or influence ongoing negotiations in a delicate regional balance.
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the correctional chamber of the Court of First Instance of Tunis sentenced members of a human trafficking and sexual assault network targeting minors to prison terms ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment. The accused were incarcerated for human trafficking and rape of minors using violence and threats, according to Mosaïque FM. The ten-person network was dismantled in Tunis following a series of security raids conducted in the El Mourouj and Sidi Hassine areas in early February. The operation was carried out by agents from the brigade for combating violence against women and children in Sidi Hassine, supported by the judicial police brigade of the same district. The suspects lured young girls from troubled families or those who had run away from home or shelters, trapping them with false promises of employment or accommodation. Two women, members of the network, were responsible for attracting minors in several areas, including La Soukra, La Marsa, and Aïn Zaghouan.