In the midst of a strike in the banking and insurance sector, the secretary general of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), Noureddine Taboubi, called this Monday for the opening of a “serious, responsible and transparent” dialogue in order to achieve concrete and equitable results for all parties.
Speaking in front of hundreds of workers gathered at Mohamed Ali Square in Tunis, Taboubi denounced the deterioration of purchasing power which, according to him, affects all social categories, and castigated the refusal of the authorities to negotiate with union representatives.
He reaffirmed that the trade union center will continue its fight to defend workers’ rights, while reiterating its attachment to public and individual freedoms, freedom of expression and the press, as well as the independence of the judiciary.
The union leader also warned against the growing restrictions on the right to organize, which he considers “incompatible with democracy and respect for fundamental rights”.
Negotiations suspended since August
For his part, Ahmed Jaziri, secretary general of the General Federation of Banks, Financial Institutions and Insurance Companies (under the UGTT), confirmed that the strike was followed massively in all regions of the country.
He recalled that the last negotiation session between the Federation, the Banking and Financial Council and the Tunisian Federation of Insurance Companies dates back to August 2025.
This meeting, supposed to result in an agreement on salary increases for three years (2025-2027) and on the creation of an advisory committee, was never followed by a signature, leading to the breakdown of dialogue.
The Federation then sent a strike notice dated October 20, 2025, which remained without response from the supervisory authorities.
Employers denounce “unjustified” strike
In a statement released last week, the Banking and Financial Council described the call for strike as “unjustified and unacceptable”, saying it harms the interests of customers and financial institutions.
The Council affirms its commitment to applying the salary increases provided for in the 2026 finance bill, currently under discussion in Parliament, while calling for priority to be given to dialogue and national solidarity in this difficult economic period.
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