Tunisia – Analysts: general strike negatively affected Tunisian economy

Location: Tunis, Tunisia
Language: Arabic
Duration: 00:04:41
Voice: Natural
Source: A24 Tunisia
Restriction: A24 subscribers
Date: 17/06/2022

Storyline:

Tunisian economists said that the general strike took place on Thursday caused the country to lose 300 million Tunisian dinars. Observers stressed the importance of holding negotiations between the government and the UGTT to avoid a bigger crisis as the Tunisian General Labour Union’s (UGTT) demands were not fulfilled. Amid a severe financial crunch, experts warned that the strike would reversely affect foreign investment in the country, and the negotiations between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission and the government, which would make it harder for the government to reduce the budget deficit.

Shot list:

SOUNDBITE (Dhaa Al-Shakandali – Professor of Economics and Finance):
“There are four negative impacts (for the strike). First, it affected the Gross domestic product (GDP), causing a 300 million Tunisian dinars loss. As we are in the middle of June, the Ministry of Finance is working on mobilizing financial resources to pay this month’s salaries. There is a reduction in revenue that led to problems in mobilizing financial resources. As for business, it would affect foreign investments in Tunisia and the negotiations between the IMF mission and the government, which would make it harder for the government to reduce the budget deficit.”

SOUNDBITE (Zuhair Hamdi, Secretary-General of the Popular Current Party):
“I think that the union decided to strike after the failure of negotiations with the government. However, since the country is experiencing hard conditions, in terms of the exceptional political situation and a difficult economic situation regionally, internationally and locally; the two parties should give negotiations a second chance to avoid further crises. They should resolve the issue in accordance with the resources and capabilities of the state and the union’s demands.”

SOUNDBITE (Nizar Makni – political analyst):
“The labor union failed to fulfill its demands, which can only be achieved by striking. This conflict (between the government and the union) may escalate and pose a threat to society as we may witness violence in Tunisian streets.”