Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed summoned the European Union Ambassador to Tunisia, Giuseppe Perrone, on Tuesday to express a “strong protest” regarding what he considers a “violation of diplomatic protocols.” An official statement, released Wednesday morning, did not specify the exact reasons for this reaction.
President Saïed conveyed to the ambassador his rejection of “practices outside the official frameworks recognized by diplomatic customs,” without providing further details on the circumstances leading to this summons.
This incident follows a meeting on Monday between Ambassador Perrone and Noureddine Taboubi, the Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT). The European ambassador had praised the “important role” of the UGTT in maintaining social dialogue and fostering economic development in Tunisia, according to a statement from the EU delegation. The UGTT, which played a key role in the country’s democratization process following the 2011 revolution, claims over 700,000 members.
During their meeting, Mr. Perrone reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Tunisia, particularly in social and economic areas, and expressed his desire to continue dialogue with the union. For his part, Mr. Taboubi stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Tunisia and the EU.
This meeting comes amid growing social tensions, particularly over wage demands. Last week, the UGTT supported several strikes in the private sector and announced plans to organize a general strike to demand wage increases, citing the declining purchasing power and worsening living conditions. The minimum wage in Tunisia is currently around 520 dinars (approximately 150 euros) for 48 hours of work per week, while inflation remains high, particularly for food products.
Mr. Taboubi condemned the “precarious conditions” faced by Tunisians in transportation, healthcare, and overall living conditions, stating that workers “have the right to a decent salary,” a right they feel is currently being violated.
