The Tunisian General Workers’ Union (UGTT) has announced that Tahar Mezzi, the deputy general secretary and head of the union’s private sector, was released following his arrest on Thursday. According to the union’s announcement, Mezzi was detained by government authorities in connection with an allegedly fabricated case tied to his involvement in union activities.
The arrest occurred only days before the UGTT’s planned protest on March 2, an event aimed at denouncing perceived violations of trade union rights and disruption of social dialogue. The UGTT released a statement afterwards, condemning Mezzi’s imprisonment and calling for his release. It posits that the arrest was politically motivated and calculated to intimidate trade union movements.
The union, which boasts around 1 million members, called on its members to actively participate in the planned protest on March 2 in Kasbah Square. Union leaders hope to raise awareness about severe violations of trade union rights and individual freedoms. This large-scale demonstration marks the union’s first in several months.
It’s worth noting that the UGTT played a significant role in responding to the detention of activists, entrepreneurs, and journalists when President Kais Saied took drastic measures in 2021, including closing parliament. However, some political parties and activists have criticized the UGTT for its perceived inertia in recent times, suggesting that it has withdrawn from its influential role, rather than confronting Saied’s authoritarian approach.