This action must be understood in its proper context. Tunisia has been navigating slow growth, tight public finances, and inflation that continues to squeeze ordinary households. Food inflation remains high, and banking and insurance sector employees are feeling the “double injustice” of rising prices and stagnant wages. Workers cannot be asked to carry the burden of adjustment while their wages fall behind prices.

For ITUC-Africa, the right to strike is not an end in itself. It is a legitimate, internationally-recognised instrument that workers use to reopen or deepen social dialogue—especially when earlier efforts at negotiation have stalled or been ignored. Where dialogue is blocked, workers resort to collective action to make their voices heard. That is precisely what UGTT-affiliated unions have done in this case, and it is their right to do so. We therefore urge the relevant Tunisian authorities, employers in the banking and financial sector, and regulatory institutions to return to the table immediately and address the workers’ grievances in good faith, including:

1. Adjusting wages to restore purchasing power;
2. Reviewing fiscal or finance-law provisions that effectively reduce take-home pay for this category of workers;
3. Unblocking sectoral social negotiations so that collective bargaining can function normally.

ITUC-Africa also recalls that Tunisia’s unions—especially UGTT—have historically played a stabilising and democratising role in the country and remain a pillar for social peace. Undermining their role or ignoring legitimate socio-economic demands only prolongs uncertainty and hardship. Instead, authorities should see this strike as an invitation to rebuild trust through structured, time-bound, and inclusive dialogue.

We further note that Tunisia’s ongoing fiscal and economic pressures—limited external financing, high unemployment, and the need for more ambitious reforms—cannot be resolved by squeezing workers’ wages. Social justice, decent work, and functioning collective bargaining are part of the solution, not the problem.

As trade unionists across Africa, we echo the workers’ song that has inspired generations — “for the union makes us strong” — and we send this as a message of courage to our sisters and brothers in Tunisia as they defend their livelihoods and dignity.

ITUC-Africa therefore:
● Expresses full solidarity with the UGTT and the banking/financial sector unions in Tunisia;
● Calls for the immediate addressing of workers’ demands so that services to the public can resume without undermining workers’ rights;
● Urges the Government of Tunisia and employers to guarantee and protect the right to strike and to engage in genuine social dialogue;
● Invites the wider international trade union family to monitor the situation and to be ready to lend support to UGTT as needed.

This solidarity is extended on behalf of 18 million workers from across 52 African countries.

Signed in Lomé, Togo on November 4, 2025
Akhator Joel Odigie
General Secretary, ITUC-Africa