Tunisia’s UGTT Calls Nationwide Strike as Public Frustration Deepens

Tunisia’s most influential labour union, the UGTT, has announced a nationwide strike for 21 January, escalating pressure on President Kais Saied’s government as economic hardship and political tensions intensify.

The strike is expected to disrupt key public sectors, from transportation to administration, adding strain to a government already navigating budget shortfalls, inflation and widespread dissatisfaction over deteriorating public services.

Once a supporter of Saied’s 2021 power grab, the UGTT has increasingly criticized the president for consolidating authority and suppressing dissent. The union now accuses the administration of eroding democratic space, arresting journalists and opposition figures, and failing to address the cost‑of‑living crisis pushing many Tunisians to breaking point.

The announcement comes as hundreds protested in Tunis on Saturday following the arrest of three opposition leaders. Rights groups warn of rising authoritarianism, while international observers caution that Tunisia — once a symbol of democratic transition in North Africa — risks sliding into deeper instability.

TVOA will continue to track developments as the January strike approaches and tensions test Tunisia’s political and economic resilience.

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