Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Business
Asharq Al-Awsat

Tunisian Govt, Unions Agree to Talks on IMF Economic Reforms

Noureddine Taboubi, secretary general of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) speaks to supporters of the union during a national public strike called by them, outside their headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui/File Photo

Tunisia's government and both its main labor and commerce unions agreed on Friday to start talks on Monday over economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a rescue program.

State news agency TAP reported that Prime Minister Najla Bouden, UGTT labor union chief Noureddine Taboubi and UTICA commerce union chief Samir Majoul had agreed a "social contract" to tackle national challenges, citing a government statement.

The labor union, which represents a vast syndicate of workers, has been a staunch critic of IMF economic reforms proposed by the government, including subsidy cuts, a public sector wage freeze and the restructuring of state-owned companies. It previously said, such reforms would increase the suffering of Tunisians and lead to an imminent social implosion.

Tunisia is seeking $4 billion in IMF support amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, though diplomat sources told Reuters any IMF program approved would be unlikely to reach that level.

The IMF wants the UGTT, a powerful union that has a million members and has previously paralyzed parts of the economy in protest, to formally agree to government reforms.

Efforts to secure the IMF bailout have been complicated by Tunisia's political upheavals since President Kais Saied seized most powers a year ago, shutting down parliament and moving to rule by decree.

Last month, he pushed through a new constitution formalizing many of the expanded powers he has assumed in a referendum. Official figures showed that 31% of Tunisians took part, but opposition groups have rejected the figure, calling it inflated.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.