Tunisia expels top European trade union official for taking part in protest. “Esther Lynch has been instructed to leave the country by the Tunisian authorities on the directives of President Kais Saied,” said the European Trade Union Confederation leader.
However, she claimed, Lynch “participated in a demonstration organized by (the UGTT trade union federation) and made statements that amounted to flagrant interference in Tunisia’s internal affairs.
She had 24 hours to leave being a “Persona non grata”. Lynch addressed tens of thousands at a UGTT rally in Sfax, which is Tunisia’s second-largest city. Where she denounced a weak economy and the imprisonment of a union leader.
Lynch told a translator she came to show “solidarity with 45 million European workers.”
“We demand governments leave our unions alone and liberate our leaders,” he said. Furthermore, he suggested the government “get together and find a solution” to Tunisia’s UGTT issues. Anis Kaabi, a major UGTT leader arrested on January 31 during a paid worker strike, was the subject of the protests.
The union said his arrest hurt union activities and violated union rights.
This happened a year and a half after Saied dismissed the government. And seized near-total power in the cradle of the 2011 Arab pro-democracy protests.
UGTT vice-president Othmane Jallouli told protesters to that any union member may be sacked for voicing a viewpoint.
The demonstrations also occurred when Tunisia was negotiating a rescue loan with the International Monetary Fund. Although, the UGTT claims might lead to harsh austerity measures.
Sfax’s biggest protest chanted “Tunisia is not for sale!” and “No to welfare handouts!”
Several hoists loaves of bread to protest increasing cost of living..
Jallouli claims the administration failed to improve economic and social conditions. She could only assault the bond.”
