The Tunisian Union of Individual Taxis, represented by its regional office in Medenine, announced the end of the strike in Djerba, which began in response to the allocation of 23 collective taxi licenses. The strike, which lasted for a week, had disrupted transportation services within the island. According to a statement released on Sunday, the union decided to call off the strike after consulting with the National Chamber and sector representatives.

The strike was sparked by a decision to allocate 23 collective taxi licenses out of 150 distributed across various delegations in the governorate. The Tunisian Union of Individual Taxis had opposed this decision and demanded that additional licenses be issued to individual taxi drivers instead. The union also sought to resolve pending files dating back several years. General Secretary of the Regional Union of Individual Taxis in Medenine, Jamal Ben Moussa, stated that the strike aimed to pressure authorities to reconsider their decision.

As part of the agreement to end the strike, the union reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal action against the decisions related to license allocation. They plan to challenge these decisions in court and review their legality. While the strike has ended, the union has not ruled out the possibility of future industrial action if necessary. The union's demands focus on protecting the rights of professional drivers and seeking a resolution to their concerns.

During the strike, several protest rallies were held by individual taxi drivers. In contrast, the Tunisian Union of Industry and Commerce called for the implementation of an exceptional licensing arrangement. This allowed taxis with existing permits to operate during the strike, ensuring that transportation services within the island continued. The Regional Transport Company in Medenine also took measures to enhance its services, adding eight extra trips to connect the three delegations in Djerba.

The strike had an impact on the daily lives of citizens, affecting their ability to move around the island. With the resumption of services by individual taxi drivers, normalcy is expected to return to transportation in Djerba. The union's decision to end the strike was made after a meeting with representatives of the sector and local authorities. This development has brought relief to commuters who rely on taxi services for their daily needs.

The agreement to end the strike demonstrates the efforts of authorities and union representatives to find a solution to the issues affecting the taxi sector in Djerba. The focus now shifts to addressing the concerns of individual taxi drivers and finding a lasting resolution to the problems they face. By engaging in dialogue, both parties have shown a willingness to work towards a mutually beneficial outcome.

Key issues that led to the strike, such as licensing and the allocation of permits, remain on the agenda for discussion. The union's commitment to pursuing legal action indicates that the matter is far from resolved. Nevertheless, the resumption of taxi services is a positive step towards restoring normalcy in Djerba and provides a foundation for further negotiations between the union and authorities.

Key points

  • The Tunisian Union of Individual Taxis called off its one-week strike in Djerba after agreeing to negotiate with authorities over licensing issues.
  • The strike was sparked by a decision to allocate 23 collective taxi licenses, which the union opposed, demanding additional licenses for individual drivers instead.
  • The union has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal action against the decisions related to license allocation and may consider future industrial action if necessary.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.