On November 14, 2024, the Kairouan court of first instance rejected the request for release of Jamel Cherif, secretary general of the Local Labor Union of Sbikha, and three employees of the Ritun shoe factory.
This decision comes after demonstrations of support organized before the court by trade unionists and activists, denouncing these arrests.
The incident follows a factory complaint, which accuses Cherif and the workers of having disrupted production, resulting in a ten -day closure. Several organizations denounce these accusations as an affront to union rights. In addition, the factory management dismissed 28 workers, exacerbating tensions.
The trade unionist Said Sboui expressed his support for the detainees, saying that the case was unfounded. He recalled that the union had collaborated with the authorities to resolve the situation, but accuses the management of the factory of seeking to stifle the union action. The hearing was postponed to November 21.
Following the arrest of the trade unionist and workers, the UGTT called for a general strike in Kairouan to defend union rights and demand their release. The date of the general strike will be set later by the regional structures, according to the evolution of the situation, said Sami Tahri, deputy secretary general of the Tunisian General Union of Labor (UGTT).
