Tunisia cancels union leave and threatens legal action against violators of the decision

In a surprising and shocking move, the Tunisian government issued an official statement yesterday, Thursday, August 14, announcing the cancellation of the union leave that had been granted to several leaders of the Tunisian General Labour Union, and ending all previous licenses related to this leave, hinting at resorting to the judiciary to pursue anyone who violates this decision.

This decision directly targets a group of leaders of the Tunisian General Labour Union who have enjoyed a state of leave for years, allowing them to engage solely in union work, while the state continues to pay their salaries without them performing their original duties.

The Prime Ministry confirmed in its statement directed to ministers and state secretaries that union leave is considered "an illegal procedure and an illegitimate privilege for a group of state employees," noting that the cancellation of this leave came after observing multiple cases of state employees and local communities being under the auspices of union organizations while continuing to receive their salaries from the budgets of the bodies to which they belong, despite being considered in active service.

The government called for updating and regulating the lists of employees concerned with union leave at the central, regional, and local levels, and urged them to immediately return to their original workplaces, warning of administrative and legal actions against those who refuse to comply.

This decision comes amid tense atmospheres, just days after the Labour Union announced the organization of a protest gathering and march next Thursday, in protest against the assault of demonstrators on the union headquarters and accusations of corruption and the destruction of the country through repeated strikes and calls to freeze its activities.

In a related context, Tunisia witnessed a widespread strike that paralyzed transportation and disrupted the movement of travelers, reflecting the escalating tension between the government and the unions.