UGTT Tunisia to hold general strike to demand government curb anti-union violence

Tunisia's national trade union center UGGT has called for a general strike December 13 to highlight its demand for firm government action to halt the growing incitement and violence against the union by pro-government militias and their supporters.

On December 4, union leaders and members were attacked with knives, swords, stones and tear gas as they assembled in the capital, Tunis, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Farhat Hached, founder of the independent trade union movement in Tunisia and anti-colonial leader. Union offices in the interior of the country were also attacked by thugs using fire bombs. The IUF has called on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and to halt the anti-UGTT incitement and violence.