Tunisia's Largest Union Calls Nationwide Strike Over Wages and Crackdown

Tunisia's most powerful labor union has called a nationwide strike for January 21. The General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) announced the action to demand wage increases and protest a government crackdown on critics. The union, representing over a million members, stated it will halt work across all sectors. It aims to pressure the government to begin formal negotiations for higher public sector wages. The UGTT also cited an "escalating crackdown" on journalists, activists, and political opponents as a key reason for the strike. Tunisian authorities have recently arrested several high-profile critics. The strike poses a major challenge to President Kais Saied's government. It threatens to shut down transportation, state administration, and other public services across the country.