Tunisia: First Official Speech of the New Secretary General of the UGTT on May 1st

In Tunisia, the UGTT, the country's main trade union, organized a significant gathering on May 1st, coinciding with International Workers' Day. This event marked the first official public speech of the newly appointed Secretary General, Salaheddine Selmi. Hundreds of union activists gathered in front of the UGTT headquarters in Tunis, showcasing their solidarity and raising their voices on critical issues affecting the workforce. Among the slogans chanted, many focused on the rising inflation and the increasing cost of living, reflecting the concerns of ordinary Tunisians. During the gathering, Mohamed, a member of the Union of Young Workers, carried an empty shopping basket as a powerful symbol of the current economic crisis. He expressed, "To give you an idea of the situation today, many essential products are often missing. Sometimes it's milk, sometimes semolina, sometimes sugar... products that Tunisian families rely on. So, we are here today to show that there is a civic awareness of this crisis, and that there are still political forces and unionists trying to express themselves on these issues." In his speech, Salaheddine Selmi adopted a unifying tone while also questioning the lack of dialogue with the government. He stated, "Today, it is not up to the UGTT to initiate the dialogue. Social dialogue has a broader dimension than politics. It is not just about the salary increase decided by the government; there are numerous pending issues due to the breakdown of dialogue for years." This statement underscores the urgency for a renewed conversation between the union and the government, which has been absent for a considerable time. The day before the UGTT's mobilization, the government announced a 5% salary increase in the private sector and a specific bonus for the public sector, which Selmi noted as a step but insufficient to address the broader issues at hand. The gathering served not only as a platform for Selmi's inaugural address but also as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by workers in Tunisia. As the country navigates through economic challenges, the UGTT's role remains crucial in advocating for workers' rights and pushing for necessary reforms. The event concluded with a call for unity among workers and a commitment to continue fighting for better living conditions and fair wages.