Efforts to undermine the UGTT’s leadership, by political forces within the coalition of political parties expected to form the government, appear to be an attempt to marginalise the organisation and destabilise it on the eve of its national congress.

“The UGTT should be respected as a serious and responsible social partner, and its commitment to international standards on workers’ rights, gender equality and economic justice are crucial to the future of the country. Attempts by political interests to side-line and destabilise the UGTT risk holding back the social and economic progress that drove the Tunisian revolution,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

The UGTT will be holding its national congress in Tabarka, northern Tunisia, from 25 – 28 December.