Tunis – The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the country’s largest and most powerful trade union organization, has announced a call for a nationwide general strike on January 21, 2026.
The Assistant Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), Sami Tahri, confirmed that the strike would be carried out in response to three main demands: the imposition of social dialogue; the defense of the right to negotiate and unionize; and the rejection of the wage increase included in the 2026 draft budget law for both the public and private sectors.
Al-Taheri described this increase as “unacceptable and unprecedented,” noting that the union had previously sent more than 17 letters to successive governments since Najla Bouden’s administration without receiving any response or interaction. He considered this evidence of the government’s tendency towards escalation and its absolute rejection of dialogue.
This announcement represents a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the union and President Kais Saied. The union is protesting the government’s restrictions on union rights and demanding immediate negotiations for wage increases.
This call reflects the escalating economic and political tensions in Tunisia. The union, which wields considerable influence on the Tunisian street, is facing mounting challenges from the presidency.
The union believes that the authorities are imposing unjustified restrictions on the exercise of union rights and freedom of union activity.
The union demands the resumption of negotiations with the government to increase employee and worker wages to cope with rising inflation and deteriorating living conditions.
The proposed strike is expected to paralyze many vital sectors in the country, further increasing pressure on President Kais Saied’s government at a time when it is facing significant economic difficulties and stalled negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
