The planned strike by Tunisian postal workers, originally planned for February 25-26, 2025, was officially cancelled on Monday evening after an agreement was reached between union representatives and government authorities.
Breakthrough After Intense Negotiations
After weeks of tensions and discussions, a decisive meeting between the concerned parties helped settle the situation, averting a disruption in postal services.
The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), represented by the Secretary-General of the Postal Federation, Habib Mizouri, announced the strike’s cancellation following the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The meeting, held on the evening of February 24, was supervised by Minister of Social Affairs Issam Lahmar and brought together institutional and union representatives. Discussions lasted late into the night, concluding at 10:30 PM with the signing an agreement deemed satisfactory by the union.
Key Points of the Agreement
The signed deal includes several commitments from both the government and the Tunisian Post administration:
- Finalization of pending promotions: Employees who have not yet received their due promotions under the October 2, 2020 agreement will now be included. The official list will be published this week, and financial adjustments will take effect within a month.
- Implementation of a new health insurance system: A collective insurance plan covering postal employees will be established within six months.
- New employee status framework: A reform proposal regarding postal workers’ status will be submitted to the board of directors by March 15, 2025.
- Extension of coverage and incentive bonuses: Bonuses initially included in the 2013 agreement will now apply to eligible employees, without additional financial strain on the company.
- Upcoming negotiations on broader union demands: Talks regarding additional demands made by the UGTT will commence in early April 2025.
- Progress on the social support fund: Steps will continue toward establishing a fund to support postal employees.Government Concerns and Challenges Ahead
Despite the overall positive outcome, the Tunisian Prime Minister’s office voiced reservations, particularly concerning the extension of coverage and incentive bonuses. As a result, a government representative opted not to sign the document but acknowledged the commitments made by other parties.
A Win for Postal Workers, But Implementation Remains Key
While this agreement marks a win for postal employees, challenges remain in ensuring the timely implementation of these commitments.
The strike cancellation comes as a relief for postal service users, who would have faced significant disruptions had the strike proceeded.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
