Leader of Tunisia's UGTT union calls for end to internal divisions

At a rally on Friday to mark International Workers Day, the head of Tunisia’s General Labour Union (UGTT) called for members to unite and overcome internal divisions.

Slaheddine Selmi stressed the role the union had played in the national dialogue, but denied any political ambitions.

"We say it time and time again: we have never sought power, nor have we ever sought to attain it. That is for political parties and politicians," Selmi told the crowd of supporters in Tunis.

"But we also say and reiterate that we will never accept being prevented from fulfilling our role as a full-fledged social partner, enjoying all constitutional and legal rights, nor from carrying out our duty to defend workers' interests and monitor all policies and situations that have an impact and repercussions on these economic and social interests, those of our members in particular, and of our people in general."

When elected to lead the body in March, Selmi set two priorities: greater transparency and defending the union’s independence from political manipulation.

Earlier this year, infighting within the union had threatened to embolden President Kais Saied to erode its strength and bargaining power. A strike called for January 21 to protest the Tunisian government's crackdown on the opposition, was called off.

Related articles

Tunisia's main union lambasts IMF loan talks

Tunisians take part in UGTT labour union anti-government rally

From the same country

Tunisia jails 10 environmental activists over anti-pollution protests in Gabes

Tunisia's Carthage Music Days puts its faith in the local scene

Torrential rain and flooding slam Tunis, forcing schools to close

01:20

Tunisia's main union lambasts IMF loan talks

01:00

Tunisians take part in UGTT labour union anti-government rally

01:20 Tunisia jails 10 environmental activists over anti-pollution protests in Gabes

02:20

Tunisia's Carthage Music Days puts its faith in the local scene

01:00

Torrential rain and flooding slam Tunis, forcing schools to close

01:20

Tunisia's main union lambasts IMF loan talks

01:00

Tunisians take part in UGTT labour union anti-government rally

01:20 Tunisia jails 10 environmental activists over anti-pollution protests in Gabes

02:20

Tunisia's Carthage Music Days puts its faith in the local scene

01:00

Torrential rain and flooding slam Tunis, forcing schools to close

NEWS 01:12 Over 1,000 arrested in France after a day of mostly peaceful protests

NEWS 01:01 Tunisia president softens 'fake news' decree after criticism by rights groups

NEWS

00:50

Rescuers pull migrants from deadly shipwreck off Tunisian Coast

NEWS 00:57 Tunisia says 2026 summer hottest on record, temperatures topped 49.7°C

NEWS 01:01 Tunisia: At least 11 detained following protest for release of activists

NEWS 01:29 Hundreds of Tunisians demand release of jailed Gaza flotilla activists

01:30

Nigeria

Nigeria's Tinubu defends policies as he launches re-election bid

01:13

Gabon

Gabon restores social media access after an eight-month ban

01:01 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport partially resumes flights after Houthi attacks