Tunisia’s president signals showdown with powerful union

Tunisian President Kais Saied has signalled a possible move to investigate the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the country’s most powerful trade union, during a meeting with Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, as reported by The Arab Weekly plus agencies on August 11th.

Though he did not name the organisation directly, the remarks come amid heightened tensions between the presidency and the union.

Observers believe Saied intends to limit the UGTT’s influence in political affairs without escalating beyond the usual state–union disputes. The UGTT, while stressing its core mission of defending workers’ rights, has also indicated its willingness to maintain dialogue with the authorities.

Saied recently dismissed claims that protests outside the UGTT headquarters amounted to assaults, asserting instead that corruption cases must be examined. His statement coincided with online calls urging action against the union, founded in 1946, following a transport strike earlier this month that brought Tunis to a standstill for three consecutive days.

Since then, protests for and against the union’s actions have sparked in controversy into a broader lens of pro/anti Saied sentiment.

A heavy security presence surrounded the headquarters after protesters gathered there, prompting the UGTT to accuse “supporters of the president” of attempting to storm the building.

In a televised address, Saied rejected such allegations, warning that no individual enjoys immunity if they break the law. He insisted that public determination would defeat conspiracies and reaffirmed his vision of a sovereign homeland built on dignity and popular will. He recalled the trade union legacy of martyr Fadhel Sassi, killed during the 1984 bread riots.

However, condemnation for Saied have grown increasingly strong from the international community in the wake of the Tunisian presidents handling of oppositions leaders and protests which are critical of his government. Hence, the contents of Saied’s television address were not wholly unexpected by those who protest and oppose him. Nor does anything change for those who back the criticised President, and thus, things remain as volatile as before.

Yet, analyst Moez Haj Mansour told The Arab Weekly that Saied aims to place the UGTT firmly under presidential authority, suggesting files may exist on union leaders. Commentator Mourad Allala urged prioritising dialogue, arguing that any corruption cases should be handled by the judiciary. Although, considering Saied’s experience imprisoning figures of Tunisia’s judiciary system, this course of action may prove unfruitful too.

The UGTT’s national administrative body will meet soon to address the protests, with political parties warning against attempts to dismantle the country’s largest labour organisation.

The Arab Weekly plus agencies, Maghrebi.org