The Tunisian General Labor Union's (UGTT) private sector department announced a nationwide strike for November 23-25, affecting all hydrocarbon transport companies. This decision follows a notice issued on November 2. The strike aims to protest the non-implementation of an agreement signed on May 2, 2019, which has resulted in erosion of professional and social rights for workers in the sector.
The 2019 agreement, signed between the UGTT and the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Commerce, and Handicrafts (UTICA), includes key provisions for workers. These provisions comprise specific bonuses for truck drivers to compensate for the hazardous nature of their work and the formal classification of fuel truck drivers as workers in a high-risk profession. The agreement also mandates that companies provide social coverage for their employees and regularly pay their contributions to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).
Workers in the sector are also demanding the implementation of mechanisms to adjust profit margins for transport companies. This would enable these companies to honor their commitments to employees. The UGTT has repeatedly denounced the blockage of the agreement's implementation. The union is calling for urgent intervention to resolve the conflict, citing the legal mechanisms for compulsory conciliation in collective labor disputes as outlined in the Labor Code.
The strike notice was issued after the UGTT claimed that the agreement had not been implemented, leading to a deterioration in working conditions and benefits for employees. The union emphasizes that the strike is a response to the failure to address workers' concerns and the lack of progress in negotiations. The UGTT represents workers across various sectors in Tunisia and frequently engages in negotiations with employers and government representatives.
The impact of the strike on Tunisia's economy and hydrocarbon transport sector remains to be seen. The country's energy sector is a significant contributor to its economy, and disruptions in hydrocarbon transport could have far-reaching consequences. The government and relevant authorities may need to intervene to mediate the dispute and find a resolution that addresses the workers' concerns.
The UGTT's decision to go on strike highlights the ongoing challenges in Tunisia's labor relations. The country has a history of labor disputes, and the UGTT has been vocal about its demands for better working conditions and benefits for workers. The strike by hydrocarbon transport companies is likely to draw attention to the plight of workers in the sector and the need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The strike is set to take place from November 23 to 25, and its effects will be closely monitored. The UGTT and relevant authorities will likely be engaged in discussions to find a solution to the dispute.
Key points
- The strike is over non-implementation of a 2019 agreement
- Workers demand better working conditions
- The strike may impact Tunisia's economy
