13 August, 2018Tunisian trade unions representing the private sector, under the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), accused employers’ organization, the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) of not taking its demands seriously relating to an agreement on the increase in wages in the private sector concluded on 10 March 2018.
In a statement issued by the UGTT, members of the private sector grouping stressed the importance of the negotiations, calling for real increases to improve their purchasing power.
They justified their grievances by the economic crisis that is raging in the country and in particular, the surge in prices, with inflation reaching more than 7 per cent.
“Although national indicators confirm the low per capita income of the workers and increasing inflation, the UTICA is still lagging behind on all issues and appears not to be serious in the negotiations. Therefore, we are ready for mobilization and action. We insist on negotiation in good faith in order to achieve our just demands,”
said Tahar Berberi, general secretary of FGME-UGTT.
In their statement, unions representing the private sector group stressed that they are committed to serious and responsible negotiations, calling for real wage increases to improve their purchasing power.
“UTICA has not seriously addressed the provisions of the agreement reached with the UGTT on 10 March 2018, IndustriALL strongly supports the UGTT’s call on UTICA to come back to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith,”
said Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.