European Trade Union Confederation head Esther Lynch (left) meeting Secretary General of the Tunisian UGTT Noureddine Tabboubi in Tunis on February 18, 2023. Photo: AFP PHOTO / HO / UGTT

Workers’ rights must be respected everywhere. The Party of European Socialists (PES) supports the protests of the Tunisian trade unions and condemns the expulsion from the country of Europe’s top trade union official.

PES President Stefan Löfven said:

“We reject the Tunisian President’s decision to order the ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch to leave the country. President Kais Saied is conducting an anti-union crackdown, violating the union’s rights and leaving the Tunisian working population unprotected. As an international organisation, the ETUC is supporting Tunisian trade unions in their protest against the government’s measures. We adhere to those protests and call for President Saied to change course.”

President Saied has faced widespread protests following a crack-down on trade union rights. On Saturday, before being ordered to leave the country, General Secretary Lynch was in the Tunisian city of Sfax and gave a speech to demonstrators.