Summary:

On 21 August 2025, multiple French trade unions issued statements condemning what they viewed as an intimidation campaign against Tunisian labor organizations, carried out by Tunisian authorities and expressing their full solidarity with the UGTT.

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The unions that participated in the statements included the ‘French Democratic Confederation of Labour’ (CFDT), the ‘General Confederation of Labour’ (CGT), the ‘National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions’ (UNSA), the ‘Solidarity Trade Union’ (Solidaires), and the ‘United Trade-Union Federation’ (FSU). 

The statements from the French unions stressed the serious threat these actions pose to workers’ rights and union independence and underscored the importance of international attention and support to protect fundamental labor freedoms in Tunisia. 

They called on the Tunisian government to uphold international labor standards, particularly the International Labour Organization’s Conventions No. 87 and No. 98, which protect freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.  

The French unions also expressed their concern over the broader political context in Tunisia, following President Kais Saied’s 2021 actions to suspend the constitution.  

In response to these developments, the UGTT organized a demonstration on 21 August in Tunis, with thousands of participants gathering on Avenue Habib Bourguiba. The UGTT protest was intended to defend workers’ rights and denounce the government’s attempts to intimidate and limit union activities. UGTT Secretary-General Noureddine Taboubi condemned the attacks on the union, affirming that it will remain steadfast in its struggle to defend workers’ rights. 

Outlook: 

The communiqué of the French unions underscores the current tensions within Tunisia’s political climate and highlights the UGTT’s visibility and legitimacy on a global scale after a period of relatively little political activity from the country’s largest union.  

The solidarity expressed by French trade unions amplifies the union’s position within the international labor movement and draw additional attention to the political tensions playing out in Tunisia. The international community will be watching closely to see how Tunisia’s various political actors navigate these newly emerging tensions. 

As the situation represents a continuation of tensions between the UGTT and the government that began earlier this year, the union is likely to call for additional protests and labor actions, including strikes. Such activities have been framed as a confrontation with President Kais Saied and have launched UGTT back into the center of discussions around Tunisian politics. 

The standoff between the union and the administration reflects the fragility of Tunisia’s current political environment, where labor disputes  intersect with governance challenges, social cohesion, and economic pressures. 

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